June 2007 Newsletter
Ahhh June. This year 2007, June has been lovely with cooler than normal days and enough rainfall to satisfy the hillsides and keep the drying brown at bay. Today it rains, tomorrow the weatherman says the cool days will be gone until September. High temperatures are looming and summer prepares her swelter for the flowers to bathe in. Gardeners will guzzle tons of water and soak down with the hose. We will try to get out early and head home by mid afternoon.
Mid-season in the garden
the gardeners turn their attention to the on going deadheading of the flowers
and watching the plants for water stresses. Other challenges will pop up. Fungus
will begin to show as rising temperatures increase the humidity. Fungus loves
humidity. But many flowers have been waiting for the heat to show off. The daisies
are blazing away and the coreopsis too. Fragrant garden phlox has developed
the buds and is beginning to open. Xeric favorites, agastache and penstemons
are also waiting for their beloved heat. Before too long the fall flowers will
begin to display.
The seasons always seem to move through too fast.
Working in the garden connects the gardener with green friends. Last year's perennials are settled in and making a show and the gardener is always glad to see them! There are plants that I have known all my life and the connection is so satisfying, like old friends. Like a tree from one's childhood that was the center point of children's' games, there is a time-honored love and respect for such a plant. It's that connection that keeps folks in the garden. A garden blooms for the people who love it. Gardeners give love to the garden and the garden gives love back.
This summer we hope you take time to receive from your gardens. There's lots to receive: peace and quiet, music from the birds, freshly opened blooms to enjoy, flowers to cut for indoors and lots of love. Many natural mysteries rises up in the garden… so much to learn, so much to understand. The garden delivers the bounty of nature and the essence of the living planet. Get out there and receive your gifts!
Becky Elder, Blue Planet Earthscapes 6-2007
"Everything gardens."
Peter Bane, Permaculture teacher
Blue Planet Earthscapes P O Box 861 Manitou Spgs, CO 80829 (719) 685 - 0290