Live in each season as it passes; breath air, drink the drink, taste the fruit and resign yourself to the influences of each. Let them be your only diet drink and botanical medicines.
– Henry David Thoreau
Week 27 of the year is a rewarding time for gardening and bird watching, as summer is in full swing, offering vibrant plant growth and abundant bird activity. In the garden, focus on maintaining the health of your plants during the peak of summer heat. Water deeply in the early morning or evening to ensure roots stay hydrated without losing moisture to evaporation. Mulching around plants helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Deadhead flowers like marigolds and petunias to encourage continuous blooming, and harvest vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and zucchini regularly to promote further production. Keep an eye out for pests and diseases, using natural or organic methods to protect your plants.
For bird watching, Week 27 is an exciting period as fledglings begin to explore their surroundings, and summer species are highly active. Maintain clean bird feeders and provide a variety of seeds, suet, or fruit to attract diverse species. Fresh water is especially crucial in the summer heat—set up birdbaths or shallow dishes for drinking and bathing. Early mornings are the best time to observe birds when temperatures are cooler, and activity is high. Keep a journal or camera handy to document sightings and behaviors, enhancing your connection with nature.
Fall & Winter Gardening Guidance
Gardening around the world
Gardening online resources from around the world. When exploring these sites, I look for their specific sections or articles related to gardening in colder climates or northern regions. Additionally, forums and community sections…
Northern gardening
Take a look at some Minnesota online gardening resources for tailored northern gardening guidance. Gardening in Minnesota can be incredibly rewarding, though the climate poses unique challenges, especially with cold winters and short…
Gardening success through observation & monitoring
Boost garden health with observation and monitoring. Successful gardening involves careful monitoring and observation to ensure plants are thriving. To ensure gardening success, it’s important to adopt the right monitoring techniques, leverage available…
Dehydrator Herb Preservation
Preserve flavors and nutrients by dehydrating. Owning a food dehydrator offers a multitude of advantages for culinary enthusiasts. It facilitates preservation by removing moisture from fruits, vegetables, and herbs, extending their shelf life…
Mid-Summer Flower Gardening
Mid-summer is a vibrant period for flower gardening, as many plants reach their peak bloom. This is a great time to enjoy the colorful displays of annuals like marigolds and zinnias, as well…
Mid-Summer Fruit, Vegetable & Herb Gardening
Mid-summer is a vibrant time in vegetable gardens, orchards, and berry patches. Vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers are at their peak, offering bountiful harvests. Regular picking encourages continued production and prevents overripening.…
Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth (DE) in the Garden
Food grade diatomaceous earth (DE) is a versatile, natural substance valued by gardeners for its pest control and soil enhancement benefits. Composed of fossilized algae, food grade DE acts as a mechanical insecticide…
Gardening Science
Evidence-based approaches for improving plant growth and vitality. Innovative scientific discoveries are reshaping gardening practices. Advances in soil microbiology reveal the intricate relationships between plants and beneficial microbes, offering new insights into nutrient…
Gardening for Bird Conservation
Birds in the garden bring landscapes to life. Attracting birds to your garden enriches the outdoor experience with nature’s vibrant palette and cheerful melodies. Beyond the aesthetic delight, birds play a crucial role…
Plants at Their Best
Asiatic Lily
One of my favorite additions for a pop of color in a flower bed are Asiatic lilies. Asiatic lily bulbs are indispensable garden additions, contributing vibrant hues and captivating elegance. With an array…
Scented Geranium
Indoor garden plant, outdoor annual plant, or indoor-outdoor potted plant. Scented geraniums are a delightful addition to any garden or home due to their fragrant leaves and versatility. These plants are easy to…
Basil
Power Annual Herb. Love this little green flavor booster! Basil is my favorite herb to grow because of its versatility and vibrant flavor. I have come to love its aromatic leaves and continue…
Hydrangea
Perennial Hydrangea blooms in diverse colors, transforming gardens beautifully. Hydrangeas, with their captivating blooms, are a delight to garden enthusiasts. These deciduous shrubs showcase a remarkable variety of colors, ranging from vibrant pinks…
Mint
Perennial fast-growing herb with versatility and beauty. In the midst of late spring, the vibrancy of mint flowers brings a refreshing flush to gardens and meadows. Delicate clusters of tiny blossoms emerge atop…
Sage
Perennial Herb. Flowering sage, known for its vibrant blossoms, adds aesthetic charm to gardens while maintaining its culinary and medicinal value. The delicate, tubular flowers come in various hues, including shades of purple,…
Parsley
Parsley is versatile herb with a fresh, mild flavor, rich in vitamins used for culinary creations. My kitchen herb gardens (one outside all summer and one little one inside) provide all kinds of…
Weigela
Perennial. Flowering Shrub. Weigela, prized for its vibrant and trumpet-shaped flowers, is a stunning addition to my garden. With varieties showcasing hues from pink to deep red, Weigela brings a burst of color…
Clematis
Perennial vine. Clematis, a versatile and enchanting vine, adds grace to gardens with its diverse blooms. Plant in well-drained soil with sun on the vines and roots shaded for optimal growth. Choose a…
Stella D’Oro Daylily
Perennial. Stella D’Oro daylilies (Hemerocallis ‘Stella D’Oro’) are prized for their prolific, golden-yellow blooms and versatility in garden design. These compact perennials thrive in a variety of climates and soil conditions, providing continuous…
Birding & Butterflies
Northern Cardinal
A cherished backyard songbird. Updated since 11/2/2023. The presence of cardinal birds in my yard brings fresh fun. Their vibrant red plumage, a burst of color against the green backdrop, provides me a sense of natural beauty. Their…
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Squeaky tiny little sparkles of the sky. The presence of hummingbirds in my yard transforms the ordinary into an enchanting spectacle. These iridescent jewels of the sky, with wings that blur like magic, bring boundless joy. Their aerial…
White-breasted Nuthatch
Lively and bouncy tree creepers. The presence of nuthatches in my yard gets me to peering out the front window. These charismatic birds, with their distinctive upside-down climbing and head-first descents, inject a playful energy into the trees…
Bald Eagle
Bald Eagles mature to have a snowy white head and tail contrasted against a dark brown. Their commanding presence is an American symbol of strength and freedom. Spotting Bald Eagles in my neighborhood is an awe-inspiring experience that…
Trumpeter Swan
The largest extant species of waterfowl. Seeing trumpeter swans in my neighborhood brings a sense of tranquility and wonder. Their majestic presence on ponds, gracefully gliding across the water, adds an elegant charm to the landscape. In fields,…
Turkey
Wild turkeys are native to North America, commonly found in forests, grasslands, and open woodlands across the U.S. and southern Canada. These large birds, known for their fan-shaped tails and wattled necks, have iridescent feathers that shimmer in…
Chipping Sparrow
Cheerful, agile, trilling, resilient, friendly, little sparrow. I enjoy seeing chipping sparrows at my bird feeders because they bring a bit of fun to my bird feeders. Their delicate, cheerful chirping is a delightful sound to hear in…
Gray Squirrel
Acrobatic, adaptable, intelligent little seed hoarders. Gray squirrels, agile acrobats of the suburban landscape, frolic in my yard with a boldness that borders on audacity. Their fluffy tails twitch with curiosity as they dart among the trees, pausing…
Ring-necked Pheasant
Colorful, adaptable, ground-foraging, game bird. The Ring-necked Pheasant, a strikingly colorful bird native to Asia, has become a captivating presence year-round in my Minnesota yard. With its iridescent plumage and distinct neck ring, this bird adds a touch…
Homemade Hummingbird Nectar
Creating homemade hummingbird food is simple and involves only a couple of ingredients. Crafting your own hummingbird food ensures a pure and natural nectar source for these enchanting avian visitors. Commercial alternatives may contain harmful additives, preservatives, or…
Wood Duck
Colorful, crested, iridescent, arboreal, elegant, wary, and distinctive duck. Observing Wood Ducks gracefully gliding on my pond is an enchanting experience. Their vibrant plumage, featuring iridescent greens, blues, and intricate patterns, adds a vivid splash to the natural…
Northern Flicker
Striking, colorful and large woodpecker. The Northern Flicker gracing my birdfeeders is a striking harbinger of nature’s vibrancy. Its plumage, a captivating blend of spotted black, tan, and red, catches sunlight with a mesmerizing effect. This woodpecker’s distinctive…
Barn Swallow
Acrobatic, delicate, dedicated parents. Barn Swallows gracing my barn evoke a lively spectacle of nature. With iridescent blue-black plumage, their aerobatic flights adorn the pasture, capturing the essence of summer. These agile birds skillfully snatch insects mid-air, contributing…
Downy Woodpecker
Lively and rhymical woodpecker. Downy Woodpeckers bring enchantment to my yard with their lively antics and distinctive black-and-white plumage. Their petite stature, just 6-7 inches in length, adds charm as they flit gracefully among branches. The rhythmic drumming…
Hairy Woodpecker
Flashy movements, climbers, with rhythmic slower drumming. The Hairy Woodpecker’s rhythmic drumming and distinctive black-and-white plumage bring a unique rhythm to my yard, transforming it to include natural wonder. Their diligent foraging, tapping resonantly on our tree trunks,…
American Goldfinch
Sunlit yellow plumage, delicate black wings, and sweet cheep-cheeps. The American Goldfinch’s vibrant presence at my thistle birdfeeder transforms my yard into a living canvas of radiant yellow and black. Their sunlit yellow plumage, delicate black wings, and…
Pileated Woodpecker
Commanding sized woodpecker with the regal red pointy cap. Seeing the large Pileated Woodpecker eating suet at my birdfeeder is a glimpse into the wild, a majestic presence that transcends the ordinary. Their striking crimson crests and vibrant…
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Charismatic bird, with striking zebra-like patterns and vibrant red crown. The occasional sighting of the neighborhood Red-bellied Woodpeckers at my bird feeder spices up my yard with their dynamic avian energy. These charismatic birds, with striking zebra-like patterns…
Black-capped Chickadee
Charming little avian friends. Watching the Chickadees at my birdfeeder always puts a smile on my face, their vibrant presence is proof to nature’s charm. These spirited little birds, with their distinctive black caps, white cheeks, and cheerful…
Mourning Dove
Embodiment of simplicity and grace. Mourning doves grace my yard with a gentle elegance, captivating my heart with their subtle beauty. Their soft, cooing calls create a tranquil melody, an acoustic balm that soothes the surroundings. These graceful…
Blue Jay
These assertive and bold personalities bring vibrancy to the yard. The presence of blue jay birds in my yard is a source of daily giggles. Their striking azure and white plumage create a vivid spectacle, a living splash…
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