“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 35 is ideal for immersing yourself in gardening and bird watching. As summer transitions to early fall, it’s a great time to plant late-blooming perennials and cool-season vegetables. Focus on adding native plants that attract pollinators and birds, enhancing your garden’s ecosystem. Set up a bird feeder or birdbath to invite feathered visitors and take some time each morning to observe the variety of species that stop by. Keep a journal to note the birds you see and the garden’s progress. This week, blend the tranquility of gardening with the joy of bird watching, creating a peaceful outdoor retreat.
Mid-Summer Gardening Guidance
Growing Food for Environmental Impact
Embracing sustainability in daily life. Updated since 10/29/2023. Having my own small orchard and vegetable garden brings immeasurable joy as I can nurture a space teeming with life. Cultivating my food imparts a…
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
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…
Gardening To Improve Outdoor Air Quality
Enhance outdoor air quality by naturally filtering pollutants. Planting your yard and garden with air-purifying plants enhances outdoor air quality by naturally filtering pollutants and releasing oxygen. Trees like oak and maple absorb…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Wood Duck Nest Box
Providing suitable nesting sites for these beautiful birds. Building a wood duck nest box is a tangible act of conservation, fostering the well-being of a species integral to wetland ecosystems. These nest boxes offer critical…
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…
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.…
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…
Eastern Bluebird
Bluebirds bring quick joy to my yard, their azure and red plumage a vivid splash on nature’s canvas. Their enchanting melodies resonate, transforming my outdoor spaces with their music and magic. Graceful in flight, they…
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…
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…
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…
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