My Garden Notebook - July 2012

Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly

Note: We had a severe thunderstorm Friday evening that left many without power, including us. With temperatures reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it was an interesting adventure. Finally, our power was restored last evening. I was unable to publish this post on the 1st of the month as I usually do because of the power outage, so here it is.

stats


Gardening Zone: 7a
May High Temperature: 98 degrees F
May Low Temperature: 60 degrees F


Precipitation: 1.94 inches


We have had little rain this month, and things are looking dry. I keep hoping for a long day of rain. Some of the plants are beginning to look stressed even though I water them in the morning. It is usually the newly planted ones that have a hard time in this dry heat.

wildlife


The blackbirds have been very busy chasing away the songbirds from the feeders, so I  adjusted the weight on one feeder to close when they land. And I changed out some of the sunflower seeds to safflower seeds. This seems to be working well. They still come, but not in droves.

Retreat

Each year on or around my birthday, I like to take a day all to myself where I spend the time alone doing some of my favorite things in peace and serenity. I try to disconnect from email and phone and spend some time outside in nature and with myself.  I usually spend this day admiring the garden, reading a book, and watching a film or two. These are some of my favorite things. Later or on another day, I will celebrate with my husband and friends and family.

Petal Passion

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Alice'

I am fascinated by all of the plants and flowers in my garden and in other gardens, but each year hydrangeas entertain and awe like few others.

Breathing Lessons

My breath could tell a story all its own. When I am frightened, my breath is shallow, slow, stale. When I am excited, my breath is like a pant--quick, uneven, unpredictable. With calmness and relaxation comes a breath that is even and full, open and free. As each moment of each day unfolds, there is a breath that accompanies it. There is a breath that resists or a breath that embraces. And, inevitably, there is a lesson--a breathing lesson. These breaths reflect the lessons I learn in the garden.

One of the most marked events this year in the garden has been the alternate weather. Our weather has not followed its usual pattern with a cold, perhaps snowy, winter and a warmer, but still cool, spring. Instead, we have had an unseasonably warm winter. The ground never froze and hardened, and as spring arrived it was very warm with temperatures sometimes reaching the 90's.

My Garden Notebook - June 2012

Great Spangled Fritillary Butterfly

stats


Gardening Zone: 7a
May High Temperature: 93 degrees F
May Low Temperature: 51 degrees F


Precipitation: 3.48 inches

wildlife


The bluebirds fledged and are now being taught how to feed by the parents. Just this morning I saw these same fledglings eating on their own from the feeders. Mom and dad must be so glad for the break.


Here are two of them begging from Dad. It was hard to get a clear photograph as they were moving around quite a lot.

Two Fledglings Begging from Male Bluebird

The Seven Faces of My Garden - GBBD May

Carpenter Bee on Chive Blossom

In my garden, there are seven faces that nature provides to maintain my interest. And although many of these same faces emerge each year, they grow different and more interesting from season to season and year to year. They are the faces that make me gasp, lure me closer, and inspire me to continue gardening. These faces add beauty, texture, color, and life to my garden with gentle suggestion and bold insistence.

All the Books from The Earth Day Reading Project 2012

When I shared my selection, The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh, I did not know it would become a theme for the project. Many of the books selected were children's books. From Beatrice Potter to Lewis Carroll, there were books that inspire, entertain, and offer a subtle message. And there were other books as well. Books that I have put on my reading list. Great books that offer new perspectives and new lessons in sustainable living and appreciating nature.

My Garden Notebook - May 2012

It is May 1, and I am documenting my garden on the first of every month.


Each year is different than another just as each month is different than another. April seemed to fluctuate in temperature and weather conditions just as much as most of the months in 2012 thus far. We did have a few weeks without rain which slowed growth a bit, and I used up all of the water in the rain barrels. Finally, last week we got some much needed rain. And rain has been coming every few days since. All the plants and trees are bursting with growth as a result.