July 2008 Newsletter
August mornings, since the rains came, feel more like September. Oh, did the rains come! Not too much pounding, mostly cool, soft drizzles and long drippy nights. The birds have noticed. The wrens are back, singing and once more checking into the nesting boxes. Robins, returning from their vacation up into the high country, know the rains mean softer soils and more worms. Plants, including the weeds, have certainly responded with growth, flowers and new seedings. Spying a ragweed, I toss it into the compost pile. Another weed, bindweed, goes into the rabbit hutch. A small elm, masquerading as a Nanking Cherry, gets yanked and allowed to decompose on the garden floor. All weeds eventually become soil, through decomposing on the ground or in the compost pile or through the rabbit biosystem. This time of year all weeds, no matter how small, are setting seeds. I try to remember they are building the soil as I pull and yank them up now - before they can seed my gardens into oblivion.
Native plants have fared well, especially considering the extremes of weather 2008 has been presenting. Chokecherries hang with fruit, waiting for the robin "parties" to begin. (Bears also love chokecherries.) Domestic fruits are in their full producing modes, blackberries by the bushel, plums breaking the branches, apples blushing. I keep an eye on my Hopi squash that hangs midair two feet off the ground. It will need support before too long or may come crashing down to the ground. This time of year is a time of reaping the rewards of planting last spring and of harvesting the perennial foods, like the blackberries. The hot days of July have past and the gardeners look ahead to the coming autumn when the full harvest will come.
This year I planted my old Victorian clawfoot tub with annual vegetables, including lettuces, kale and fava beans. I allowed a catmint seedling to stay since it brings in all those beneficial insects that patrol the food crops. Last year that tub was full of morning glory and sunflowers, this year it shows off lacy leafy skirts with tall favas popping up and dancing above. Of course, in my yard, there is always a stray sunflower or two, a gift from the birds, so the food garden blends right into the habitat gardens.
The fall flowers began early this year, but that's okay. They will stick around for quite a while and the late blooming mums have yet to begin flowering. We are still in summer until the middle of September. Time is ripe for lemonade in the shade and family dinners outdoors in the fresh air. Bulb season is coming soon and if you desire bulbs next spring, we will need to hear from you. Just call, or chat with the gardener's outside your window and we'll get your spring display going.
As ever, we value our clients, love the gardens and are inspired with the beauty of being a gardener. We ask for your feedback whenever you feel concerns or have questions. August is a great time to begin thinking about food for next year and the autumn harvest you would want to be putting up. Have a look at the Farmer's Market for what is in season now… you can plan to grow your own! In the meantime, enjoy the lazy days of August, 2008, the migrating hummingbirds, the beautiful cloud formations and the soon to be changing trees. Observe your gardens everyday and discover who lives there! Peace.
Peace,
Becky the Gardener
"Everything gardens."
Peter Bane, Permaculture teacher
Blue Planet Earthscapes P O Box 861 Manitou Spgs, CO 80829 (719) 685 - 0290