I Think it's Summer

This past May was probably the rainiest May I can ever remember. A cold and rainy spring. I wasn't sure if summer would ever come. And when I was at the Farmer's Market last Friday I still wasn't entirely sure about summer. There was a chill wind in the air and I was glad to have my sweatshirt.

But if the weather isn't sure I guess I can count on my flowers to tell me that summer is really here. The lavender and the roses are at their peak right now so I am declaring that summer has officially arrived.




I need to pick this lettuce soon as the weather is slated to turn hot by the Fourth of July weekend. Lettuce does not like the heat. In that respect it resembles a certain gardener I know.

I usually think of Purple Coneflower as a plant that blooms in August. But the flowers are starting to bud so I know they will be in full bloom in July. The buds are pretty too!

I save these red cannas from year to year, digging them up in fall and storing them in a paper bag in my closet which is the coldest place in my house. It may not be the garden correct way of doing things but it works for me. I had so many cannas this past year the Master Gardeners used them in our garden at the Children's Zoo.

Finally a red lupine in my garden. I seem to have no trouble with the purple and white variety but I can't seem to get the red ones to grow. So I don't know if this one will return next year or not, but for now I am quite pleased.

This is the first lily of the season. I absolutely love lilies of all colors, but I am very careful around them. When I am weeding I wear old paint clothes since they seem to stain my clothes. It takes me awhile, but I do learn from past mistakes.

And fortunately there are many more lilies on the way. Now for a homegrown tomato! Summer will be just about perfect then!

Garden Friends

Most insects in the garden are fairly harmless. There are some pests, aphids and Japanese beetles to name a couple, but the majority of the smallest garden creatures are just doing their own thing and are not interested in destroying your plants. Some of them are actually good to have around as they prey on the pests or pollinate your plants. So as far as the bees in my garden go, it is a live and let live policy I go by. I don't bother them and they don't bother me.




This is the season for lavender and how I love the smell! Now if I can manage to cut a few flowers and keep the cat away from the vase my day will be good.




The delphiniums blossomed this past week at my house as well. I give them a good dose of compost each spring and that seems to keep them happy. I also find that the fish wire trick keeps them upright and not flopping on the ground. I cut a long piece of fish wire, tie it around the plant and like magic they stay upright! The fish wire is pretty near invisible too!

If you have never been to the Saginaw Rail Trail then by all means check the place out. It is enjoyable by foot, rollerblades or bike and you may catch sight of some wildlife. Wild daisies and phlox are in bloom out there now. I enjoy watching the progress of the wildflowers throughout the summer. This is the perfect place for doing this!

Cranesbill, Angelica and Garden in a Jar

This past weekend the Birkams and entourage gathered for a family reunion on the banks of Lake Huron just north of that spectacular sunrise city, East Tawas. My contributions to the family festivities were oatmeal rhubarb crisp made with this year's first crop of rhubarb and salsa which I canned last fall with last year's tomatoes, garlic and peppers. One of my cousins (or entourage--the brain doesn't quite remember whom to credit) told me I should market it as garden in a jar. Well, I don't intend to market it, just eat it. But here it is in all its tomato splendor.

The perennial geraniums are in their glory these days. Here is a variety called Patricia which I have never had any problems with and pretty much stays where I planted it. These plants have taken over from the spring daffodils and tulips and eventually will be replaced by the mums come fall. But for now they are the stars of the show.

I have two Angelica plants in bloom right now. Angelica is a biennial. These plants set seed two years ago, grew all of last year and are now in flower. Soon they will die and drop more seed which will hopefully germinate. I have been growing Angelica fairly successfully for several years now. These flowers are spectacular and are definitely worth the effort.

Vegetables Everywhere

This past week I managed to plant many seeds, mulch the seeds I had already planted with straw, and yes, get the tomatoes and peppers into the ground. Here the snap peas are looking healthy and ready to climb this trellis.

I like to protect the tomato, pepper, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower plants that I put in the ground since the cutworms tend to find them. When they do, there is nothing left. These collars of old margarine containers work just fine. The soda bottle works fine with a cone for watering as well. And the cage will keep the tomatoes off the ground which is where I want them.

I am also using a floating row cover for the brassicas. I have plenty of cabbage moths around, which look pretty flying around, but since they like the leaves of the brassica plants I am trying to give the plants some protection.

I use the water from my rain barrels and water with a watering can to save money and to try and keep the leaves of the tomato and peppers plants dry. I want to water them at the roots since it is through the roots plants take in water and nourishment.

Here is a tomato growing in a smart pot I bought from Gardener's Supply Company. I also have potatoes growing in similar bags. A way to extend the vegetable garden to my deck. Easy picking when I want to cook!

Before and After

Every year members of the Saginaw Valley Master Gardener Association plant the two beds at the entrance to the Children's Zoo at Celebration Square. This year we decided to plant the beds on the hottest day of the year (so far). And to think that last Friday I was wearing a hat and gloves.

No matter. It did not take those intrepid gardeners long to replace a rather weedy setting with beautiful zinnias, cannas, salvia and more. The garden is young yet, but if the plants and the weather cooperate, we hope to see it in all its rich splendor by July. I figure that the bigger these lovely plants grow, the better. Less weeding for me.


So if you are in the neighborhood, be sure to make a stop at the Children's Zoo. It is a lovely place, both animal and plantwise.