“Little flower — but if I could understand
What you are, root and all, and all in all
I should know what God and [woman] is.”
– Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Week 34 is a perfect time to focus on your garden’s late summer beauty and the vibrant bird activity it attracts. As you tend to your garden, consider deadheading spent flowers to encourage continued blooming and keep your garden tidy. It’s also a great time to plan for fall planting, selecting perennials that will thrive in cooler weather. Set up a comfortable spot for bird watching, as many species are especially active now, preparing for migration. Refill feeders and birdbaths to support them. Enjoy the peaceful moments of watching birds flutter through your garden as you prepare it for the changing season.
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…
Vibrant fall color with hardy, cool-weather annuals
I do fall annual planting in late August and early September because it sets the stage for a vibrant and colorful autumn garden. Planting now allows these hardy plants to establish strong roots…
Planting in mid-summer
Prepare for fall and next year with August vegetable, herb, perennial, and bulb planting. I love planting seeds and plants in August because it feels like a bridge between seasons, extending the joy…
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 & 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…
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…
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…
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
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…
Hearty air fried walleye fillets
Deliciously crispy air-fried walleye fillets. These air-fried walleye fillets are a healthy twist on a classic dish. The walleye’s mild, flaky flesh is perfectly enhanced by air frying, which creates a crisp, golden exterior without the need for excess oil. This method retains the fish’s delicate flavors while providing a satisfying crunch. Serving suggestions include…
Pot Marigold (Calendula)
Hardy Versatile Annual. I have Pot Marigold (Calendula) in my garden for its vibrant beauty and remarkable versatility. Its bright, sunny flowers not only enhance my garden’s aesthetic but also attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies, supporting a healthy ecosystem. Over time, I’ve discovered numerous uses for Calendula. I dry the petals to make…
Zinnia
Lively, fiery annual with prolific flowering. Joy to grow. Zinnia flowers burst into vibrant bloom, transforming gardens with their depth of colors and captivating beauty. These radiant blooms typically emerge in late spring or early summer, adding a burst of life to the landscape. Zinnia petals unfurl in intricate layers, resembling delicate paper or vivid silk,…
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…
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 daily advantages, elevating my culinary and well-being experience. I tend to forget how much I rely on them until I run out…
Hearty dill carrots
If you have never tried this combination you are missing out. Carrots with Dill is a culinary twist of simplicity and flavor. Fresh carrots, sliced and tenderly cooked, meet the rich embrace of melted butter. The addition of dill infuses the dish with its aromatic herbaceous notes, elevating the humble vegetable to a culinary delight.…
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…
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 waves of color from spring to fall. Plant them along borders, pathways, or in containers for a burst of low-maintenance elegance. Stella…
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…
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…
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…