My Garden Notebook - July 2013

The mild spring that blessed us with cool temperatures has eased into the first days of summer. Although we have had some hot days, many of the days are cooler than normal.  At this time of year, I am usually watering often and running out of water in the rain barrels. In June we had a lot of rain. I don't see any major fungal issues yet on the plants. They seem to thrive in this weather. Still, I wonder what summer will bring. With the spring bestowing a blessing of tolerable weather, it will be interesting indeed to see what kind of summer we have.


stats

Gardening Zone: 7a
June High Temperature: 106 degrees F
June Low Temperature: 55 degrees F
Precipitation: 7.52 inches



wildlife

I see so many dragonflies in the garden this year.

Dragonfly in Butterfly Garden

This Black Swallowtail had just come out of the chrysalis a few moments earlier. It is one I sheltered in the butterfly house until this moment.

Black Swallowtail Butterfly

These Fritillary butterflies were playfully chasing each other from one flower to another.

Great Spangled Fritillary Butterflies

I heard the call of the Pileated Woodpecker and looked up.

Pileated Woodpecker

I found this Luna Moth in the branches of a Colorado Blue Spruce tree.

Luna Moth (in sepia)

There are many who come to the bird feeder, but one morning there was a new visitor.

Eastern Box Turtle

what's blooming, sprouting

I planted some bee balm last fall in various places in the Butterfly Garden aka the Hummingbird Garden aka the perennial bed. It is a winner, rising tall and flowering beautifully.

Pink Supreme Bee Balm - Monarda didyma

Shasta daisies are popping up everywhere and always make me smile.

Shasta Daisy - Chrysanthemum maximum

This is the first year that this clematis made a bold display because it had finally reached a size to spread out and shine.

Clematis, Jackmanii

One of my favorite flowers is echinacea, and I have been adding a few each year to the perennial beds. They never disappoint.

Echinacea purpurea - Flame Thrower

Another favorite flower of mine is gladioli. In the past week, the spikes have begun to rise above the other perennials and open into a rainbow of colors.

Gladiolus - Lucifer

Some blooms offer a simple complexity that matches no other.

Oak Leaf Hydrangea, Alice - Hydrangea quercifolia

The roses have been especially prolific this year, what with the milder temperatures and frequent rain.

Knockout Rose, Pink

in the vegetable garden

The vegetable garden is filled with squash, cucumbers, red cabbage, Swiss chard, asparagus, tomatoes, bell peppers, peas, and some lettuce. I planted about 10 cucumber plants, and they are providing us with lots to harvest.

Cucumber, Supremo Hybrid

I have one raspberry bush that has spread, and it has been quite prolific with all of this rain.

Raspberry, Encore Red - Rubus

The peas are nearing the end of the harvest, and I will most likely plant okra in that bed.

Pea, Avalanche

The peppers are still small, but they are fruiting.

Bell Pepper, California Wonder

In the past week, a few tomatoes have begun to ripen. And I am quite anxious to have a taste.

Tomato, Beefmaster

I usually do not have cabbage in the garden this far into the year, but with the mild temperatures I left it in to grow larger. I will be harvesting some soon.

Red cabbage, Cairo

completed chores

spread milky spore powder
sowed green beans
trimmed Carolina jessamine vines
sowed moonflower seeds
spread cow manure on lawn

chores for July

pull out peas
sow okra seeds
deadhead flowers
check under squash and cucumber leaves for squash bugs and eggs and remove
prune tomato plants
remove and destroy poison ivy plants from cottage garden


What's in your Garden Notebook for July?


I have begun a composting series with the following posts:

Composting Part I - All About Compost
Composting Part II - Advantages and Disadvantages of Compost Bins and Piles

Later this month, I will post the next article in the series, How to Make Perfect Compost.


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.

Daphne of Daphne's Dandelions hosts Harvest Monday. This weekly meme offers garden bloggers the chance to share their harvest.

Lisa of Macro Monday 2 hosts Macro Monday. This weekly meme is for sharing all of those lovely macros from the garden.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin
© copyright 2013 Michelle A. Potter