“The summer lingers, and August runs on gold.” – Unknown
Week 32 is a pivotal time for gardening, orchards, and yards as summer reaches its peak. Focus on harvesting the bounty of your summer crops, like plums, raspberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers, which are now at their prime. It’s also a good time to start planning for fall by planting cool-season vegetables like kale, spinach, and radishes. Keep an eye on your garden for pests and diseases and continue with regular watering and weeding. This week, consider adding mulch to retain soil moisture and prepare your garden beds for the upcoming seasons. Embrace the summer’s productivity and plan ahead for a thriving fall garden.
Mid-Summer 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 can be excellent resources…
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 as perennials such as…
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. Orchards are filled with…
Food grade diatomaceous earth (DE) in the garden & barn
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 by causing dehydration in…
Making a mason bee house
Build a mason bee house to support these important native bee pollinators. Creating a mason bee house supports local pollinators, crucial for healthy ecosystems and agriculture. Mason bees are effective pollinators, aiding the growth of fruits, vegetables,…
Caring for our pollinators – monarchs
Monarchs enhance plant reproduction through their pollination. My garden would feel lifeless without my bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. These pollinators are essential for its vibrancy and health. They bring it alive and keep it alive. Bees and…
Plants at Their Best
Black-Eyed Susan
Perennial. The Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) graces gardens with its vibrant golden petals and dark chocolate central cones. This resilient perennial brings a burst of summer brilliance, thriving in various soils and climates. Its low-maintenance nature makes it a garden favorite, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. Black-Eyed Susans endure through heat, drought, and neglect,…
Purple Coneflower
Perennial. Include Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) in your garden for a burst of color, attracting pollinators while offering medicinal benefits. Its distinctive, daisy-like blooms add vibrancy to summer landscapes. This hardy perennial, with its immune-boosting properties, ensures a resilient and visually stunning garden, contributing to biodiversity and well-being. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is a garden…
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 and blues to soft whites and purples. Hydrangea blooms are unique in their ability to change color based on soil pH, adding…
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 slender stems, releasing a subtle fragrance that dances on the breeze. The petals, adorned in shades of pale lavender and white, create…
Oriental Lilies
Perennial. Large, showy flowers in an array of colors. Oriental lilies are garden treasures, captivating with their rich fragrance and vibrant, exotic blooms. Planted for their striking appearance, these lilies boast large, showy flowers in an array of colors, including pink, white, and deep red. Their alluring scent enhances the garden atmosphere. Hardy and resilient,…
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 location based on the clematis variety; some thrive in full sun, while others prefer partial shade. For compact varieties, consider containers or…
Bee Balm
Short-lived Perennial. Planting Bee Balm (Monarda) in your garden enhances both beauty and biodiversity. Vibrant and aromatic, Bee Balm attracts pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, promoting a thriving ecosystem. Its tubular flowers come in various colors, adding visual interest to borders and beds. Incorporate bee balm to create dynamic color contrasts and height variations…
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Birding & Butterflies
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 ballet, darting from flower to feeder, is a mesmerizing display of agility. Each visit is a fleeting…
Building a Bluebird nest box
What’s better to conserve than nature’s beauty the bluebird. Building bluebird nest boxes is a heartwarming endeavor that fosters a symbiotic relationship between humans and nature. By constructing these small shelters, one becomes a steward of conservation, offering essential nesting sites for Eastern, Western, and Mountain Bluebirds. Beyond the joy of witnessing their vibrant presence,…
Monarch butterfly sanctuaries
Monarch migration, conservation, and habitat Monarch butterfly sanctuaries are vital habitats where these iconic pollinators find refuge during their overwintering period. Found primarily in Mexico and parts of California, these sanctuaries provide the ideal climate and forest canopy for monarchs to cluster and conserve energy. Sanctuaries not only protect monarchs from habitat loss but also…
Monarchs have arrived in Minnesota
The winner of the ultimate relay race goes to the monarch butterfly. I eagerly await the monarch butterflies’ arrival in Minnesota each season because their presence brings a sense of wonder and beauty to my garden. Watching their delicate, vibrant wings fluttering among the flowers is an enchanting experience. Planting milkweed in my garden is…
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 of wildness to my surroundings. Their distinct cackling calls punctuate the air, announcing their presence. Witnessing these…
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 red dyes that can be detrimental to hummingbirds. Homemade nectar, made simply with water and sugar, provides…
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 to natural pest control. Nests, meticulously crafted from mud, cling beneath eaves, echoing a timeless bond between…
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