My Garden Notebook - June 2013

Spring has continued on its slow emerging path throughout May with long bloom periods and a consecutive flow of color and beauty. I have enjoyed this spring more than many because it has been cooler, and with that cool weather I have been able to savor so many elements of the garden as the gradual evolution unfolds. When I am outside working in the garden, there is a calm and consistent steadiness to the garden that never makes me feel rushed or as if I am behind. It has been a joy this spring to be a part of that slow and steady flow.

In the past week, the weather has begun to turn warm, hot. We may have a few days here and there of cooler weather, but the inevitable heat of summer is on its way. And with that heat has come the 17-year cicadas. We do not have them in as high numbers as some other areas, but they are singing a boisterous song. By mid-June or so, they will have completed their mating and will die. The birds and other creatures are having a feast on these creatures. I have a few young trees that could possibly be damaged by the egg laying of the female cicada, but I am hoping the small numbers will reduce the chance of any damage to my trees.

stats

Gardening Zone: 7a
May High Temperature: 88 degrees F
May Low Temperature: 39 degrees F
Precipitation: 2.87 inches

wildlife

There has been a whirlwind of activity in and around the garden as the birds are raising young. Over the past few years, I have not had success in witnessing the raising of any American Robins that have nested in my yard. This year was the exception as a family was raised successfully this spring.

American Robin Feeding Fledgling

This is Bubba who sleeps in this drainage pipe by day and emerges in the evening to spend the night hunting and catching insects. He must find quite a lot of food because he is very big.

Eastern American Toad

what's blooming, sprouting

The perennial bed perched on the slope in the backyard is filling in nicely.

Perennial Garden Bed

Soon there will be echinacea blossoms.

Echinacea purpurea 'Kim's Knee High' - Purple Coneflower

Last year when I planted this False Indigo, a rabbit nibbled it to the ground. I am so glad it survived to offer this spring display.

Baptisia australis - Blue False Indigo

The irises have been rather showy this year.

Iris germanica 'Tiger Honey' - Bearded Iris

The primroses burst on the scene about a month ago and are still in bloom.

Oenothera speciosa - Pink Evening Primrose

My clematis plants are relatively young, but with each year there are more and more blooms.

 Clematis 'Jackmanii'

This year I planted various hens and chicks in my hypertufa planter. I like these larger varieties in this planter.

Hens and Chicks - Sempervivum 'Hopewell' ,  'Spring Beauty' , 'Black'

In the containers on the patio, I planted several pelargoniums with a variegated pelargonium and some dichondra and calibrachoa.

Pelargoniums in red with a variegated pelargonium in red with Dichondra 'Silver Falls' and Calibrachoa 'Electric Purple'

I finally finished all of the containers in the front of the house.

Thuja Occidentalis 'Rheingold' and Gerbera Daisies and Pelargoniums

in the vegetable garden

I am harvesting about a cup to two cups of peas a day.

Pea 'Avalanche'

The lettuce is still going strong with no bolting except for the arugula which began to bolt a few weeks ago.

Mixture of various lettuces - Romaine, Red Romaine, Oak Leaf

And soon there will be raspberries.

Raspberry

The spinach is beginning to bolt, but it has been a great harvest. I have picked spinach every few days for weeks. Some was used for dinner. Some was given to neighbors. And some was frozen to be used another day.

Spinach 'Corvair'

One of the most troublesome pests in the vegetable garden is the squash borer which eventually kills my squash plants. I am trying a new method this year by wrapping the base of the stem with aluminum foil to prevent the moth from laying the eggs by disorienting it and protecting the stem of the plant from larvae in the soil. I have never tried this method, so it will be an interesting season as I observe how it will work.

Aluminum Foil Wrapped Around Base of Squash Plant Stem

I am looking forward to tomatoes from the garden.

Tomato - Husky Cherry Red

Tomato Blossom

completed chores


planted remaining annuals in containers
planted gladioli
completed mulching beds
planted bell pepper plants in vegetable garden beds
planted squash, zucchini and cucumbers in vegetable garden beds
set out plant supports for tall perennials
cleared some beds of excess English ivy
cleared some beds of excess Mountain Mint

chores for June

spread milky spore powder
sow green beans
trim Carolina jessamine vines
sow moonflower seeds
sow okra seeds

Rosa 'Angel Face' - Blue Climbing Rose

What's in your Garden Notebook for June?

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One of the reasons I have been so busy this month is that I am preparing for an art/photography show in Washington, DC in a few weeks. It has been a lot of work, but I am looking forward to it.

And Beth Akerman, an artist friend of mine, has created another incredible book of art, photography and writing. This one is entitled, How We See It...the nature of our worlds. My photography and writing are included with the work of many other talented women. Again, the profits from this book benefit the NOW Love Your Body Foundation that does so much work to help those with eating disorders.

How We See It...the nature of our worlds - Ebook

How We See It...the nature of our worlds - PDF

How We See It...the nature of our worlds - Softcover

How We See It...the nature of our worlds - Hardcover

How We See It...the nature of our worlds - Large Format Hardcover

I am joining in the following:

Helen of The Patient Gardener hosts End of Month View. This monthly meme is where garden bloggers share their garden views for the end of the month.

© copyright 2013 Michelle A. Potter