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summer

Everything Is Late, But Coming Along

July 6, 2011 by Ilona Erwin

Home in Late June

My main endeavor this summer has been to weed, since absent from the garden so long. While taking care of the vegetable plot, which if you will remember was planted hurriedly just before leaving town, I noticed some tomato fruits. Green, small to medium sized, but coming along. After all the rain you wouldn’t think I need to water, but they are in raised beds and it looks like I will need to give them a drink. Planted with a few pepper plants, which are not as far along as I’d like, but looking healthy, I gave the bed a dust mulch.

The Annabelle hydrangea is blooming her head off, one of the few things of note in my garden this year. In fact I can’t well contain her or get rid of her… she loves it here.

The bugs are intolerable, it makes work in the garden constrained to short increments of time. Sometimes the mosquitoes, sometimes little gnats that won’t leave your eyes alone. Maybe I should use swimming goggles to extend my worktime, what do you think? I do love weeding when it is hot and dry, though. It means sure death for those that are grubbed out. There was also some time spent pruning and trimming the spring flowering shrubs- better late than never, removing poison ivy from inside them…. hopefully will get to the roots later… once poison ivy gets a foothold it can be tenacious.

Many people, including myself, often dislike the chore of weeding, but as in housework, it isn’t the effort, but the result that is of such great satisfaction. To look over a freshly cleaned walkway, flower bed, or nicely trimmed shrubs makes for a good feeling… even when sticky with sweat and bothered by bugs. I don’t know how to translate that good feeling of being in touch with the earth, and yet playing a part in the care and control of it that makes gardening such a deeply passionate pastime. I know there is something of the happiness that comes from making the world, even a small corner of it a better place.

puppy-sitting

Visited Lake Erie

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ // ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
© 2011 written for Ilona’s Garden Journal. An excellent blog.

Filed Under: 2011, summer

The “what did you do over summer” essay

August 24, 2010 by Ilona Erwin

Remember the first days of school when you were a kid? There were always the obligatory “What I Did This Summer” essays that were supposed to sum up our activities- as a way to segue back into the halls of Academia. Leaving the fresh air and sunshine behind, we gazed through school windows and tried to concentrate on the “reading and writing” of class. This is something like that old essay assignment, cataloging the past months garden efforts and summer idylls.

Full of determination I started off the season strong with planting and getting the garden beds completed. I planted the cool season crops and then the warm season tomatoes, peppers, basil and some gourds, primarily, for the later season. Oh…. those gourds have a story. The ONLY story now in the older vegetable space, as they swamped and swallowed up the plantings and then the pathways…. so now they better produce plenty of birdhouse gourds for my planned fall crafts.

My tomatoes did well in the raised beds in the new/old vegetable patch (remember? I resurrected the original food garden area of my first efforts here on this rural place). Though the heat did take a toll around the last part of July.

I have had some eating enjoyment from those plants, but they came in full production during my out of town trips, which were numerous this summer. So I fed the critters hereabouts a bit more than I fed myself. And some simply “went by” quickly in the horrid heat waves. They are still producing, though, and I can have all the tomatoes I want until frost.

I plucked, and saved in the refrigerator, the peppers and basil that were covered by the gourd tsunami. All I can say is that my food gardening skills are getting some exercise. My planning can use a bit of refining for next year.

The larkspurs returned from last years planting and were a large patch of deep blue at the end of the food garden.

I have been changing around the flower gardens near the house, refining the side garden as it is replacing the front garden which was mown down. That section will be a shrub garden, having a background of Viburnum burkwoodi, Hydrangea paniculata, Contorted hazel, lilac, and peonies, already. I can’t think of any landscape activity sadder than mowing down a beloved garden space, however.

Recently, I have moved and increased some of my perennials. Shasta daisies went to a bed that holds the Beauty Bush. I think I will add in some other “meadow” plants to disguise the abrupt sight of plants in the lawn (they have a plan to “take over” in future yard domination of that part of the yard….shhhh!)

I’ve been very hodgepodge about taking photos- with most of them of my kids on trips to graduation and family reunions. I will slip some new photos in here…. but who knows what seasons and times they are from!

© 2010 Ilona’s Garden Journal. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: 2010, summer

Endless Summer Hydrangea, 2010 Season

August 4, 2010 by Ilona Erwin

This summer ‘Endless Summer’ hydrangea has seen the best of times and the worst of times. The early part of the season with its regular drenching rains created perfect blooming conditions, and the bush looked the best I have yet seen it. Then the scorching hot and dry patch drew out the moisture faster than I could replace it- prematurely browned blooms resulted. I will deadhead these and see if the end of the season gives a renewed show of bloom…. the foliage has remained remarkably fresh with little wilting.

early June

just blooming, Mid June

Late June, Full Glory

After A Hot, Dry Spell

Normally, this hydrangea has blooms which age slowly, fading into the most attractive old rose hue. This year they wilted and browned. The heat also took its toll on the hostas.

Filed Under: summer

June Flowers

June 28, 2010 by Ilona Erwin

A sampling of some flowers that bloom in June, here in my Central Ohio garden.

I had plenty of deep blue larkspur and mammoth-sized dill that came up in the vegetable garden.

The heat caused most things to go by all too quickly, and we have now entered a seasonal lull in which the container plantings fill in with their annuals.

The heavy storm last night blew over the top heavy Annabelle hydrangeas. I was surprised to see them splayed most awkwardly- this type usually has sturdy legs.

before the storm

Filed Under: About garden flowers, Garden photos, June Tagged With: flower photos, garden photos, June

Knee Deep in June

June 25, 2010 by Ilona Erwin

“Long about knee-deep in June,
‘Bout the time strawberries melts
On the vine.”
–   James Witcomb Riley

That is where we are in the year’s rivulet which we mark in our short span of life. Knee deep in June already! Ohio’s strawberry time, where small, but bright red strawberries with their sweet summer aroma are in the field and farm markets. I once had a big patch of Earliglo, and this year, in the memory of that, planted out some strawberry plants under the heirloom tomatoes in my new raised bed. I should try to plant more strawberries I think. If I do not get things planted within this short window of early June, I risk losing to the heat of July.

It has been hot, but very rainy here. The raised bed planting has proved fortuitous for my tomato plants, since our water table is high. Last night was another soaking rain, with its ominous claps of thunder breaking the quiet of the night.

I wonder about this summer. It seems so prematurely hot and I wonder what that bodes for the rest of the season. Checking in with the Almanac, they seem to have gotten it wrong this year. “Summer will be cooler than normal, with the hottest periods in mid- and late July and early to mid-August. Rainfall will be below normal, with the greatest threat of drought in the east.”. Doesn’t sound like my weather.

Started writing that in the middle of June- here it is almost over!
The rest of the poem for midsummer Midwest flavor.

Knee-Deep in June

Tell you what I like the best —
‘Long about knee-deep in June,
‘Bout the time strawberries melts
On the vine, — some afternoon
Like to jes’ git out and rest,
And not work at nothin’ else!

Orchard’s where I’d ruther be —
Needn’t fence it in fer me! —
Jes’ the whole sky overhead,
And the whole airth underneath —
Sort o’ so’s a man kin breathe
Like he ort, and kind o’ has
Elbow-room to keerlessly
Sprawl out len’thways on the grass
Where the shadders thick and soft
As the kivvers on the bed
Mother fixes in the loft
Allus, when they’s company!

Jes’ a-sort o’ lazin there –
S’lazy, ‘at you peek and peer
Through the wavin’ leaves above,
Like a feller ‘ats in love
And don’t know it, ner don’t keer!
Ever’thing you hear and see
Got some sort o’ interest –
Maybe find a bluebird’s nest
Tucked up there conveenently
Fer the boy ‘at’s ap’ to be
Up some other apple tree!
Watch the swallers skootin’ past
Bout as peert as you could ast;
Er the Bob-white raise and whiz
Where some other’s whistle is.

Ketch a shadder down below,
And look up to find the crow —
Er a hawk, – away up there,
‘Pearantly froze in the air! —
Hear the old hen squawk, and squat
Over ever’ chick she’s got,
Suddent-like! – and she knows where
That-air hawk is, well as you! —
You jes’ bet yer life she do! —
Eyes a-glitterin’ like glass,
Waitin’ till he makes a pass!

Pee-wees wingin’, to express
My opinion, ‘s second-class,
Yit you’ll hear ’em more er less;
Sapsucks gittin’ down to biz,
Weedin’ out the lonesomeness;
Mr. Bluejay, full o’ sass,
In them baseball clothes o’ his,
Sportin’ round the orchad jes’
Like he owned the premises!
Sun out in the fields kin sizz,
But flat on yer back, I guess,
In the shade’s where glory is!
That’s jes’ what I’d like to do
Stiddy fer a year er two!

Plague! Ef they ain’t somepin’ in
Work ‘at kind o’ goes ag’in’
My convictions! – ‘long about
Here in June especially! —
Under some ole apple tree,
Jes’ a-restin through and through,
I could git along without
Nothin’ else at all to do
Only jes’ a-wishin’ you
Wuz a-gittin’ there like me,
And June wuz eternity!

Lay out there and try to see
Jes’ how lazy you kin be! —
Tumble round and souse yer head
In the clover-bloom, er pull
Yer straw hat acrost yer eyes
And peek through it at the skies,
Thinkin’ of old chums ‘ats dead,
Maybe, smilin’ back at you
In betwixt the beautiful
Clouds o’gold and white and blue! —
Month a man kin railly love —
June, you know, I’m talkin’ of!

March ain’t never nothin’ new! —
April’s altogether too
Brash fer me! and May — I jes’
‘Bominate its promises, —
Little hints o’ sunshine and
Green around the timber-land —
A few blossoms, and a few
Chip-birds, and a sprout er two, —
Drap asleep, and it turns in
Fore daylight and snows ag’in! —
But when June comes – Clear my th’oat
With wild honey! — Rench my hair
In the dew! And hold my coat!
Whoop out loud! And th’ow my hat! —
June wants me, and I’m to spare!
Spread them shadders anywhere,
I’ll get down and waller there,
And obleeged to you at that!

~James Whitcomb Riley

Filed Under: summer

HOT!!

June 8, 2010 by Joanne Dibble

i have been AWOL as well for awhile. wish i could say it is housecleaning, but living alone does have its merits. i would rather dig a hole than run a vacuum cleaner!
my sandy driveway continues its slow migration into the kitchen. visitors and my old dogs don’t help… it has been up in the 90’s, with many stormy afternoons.
we do need the rain, but the grass is very tall, and my 4-legged lawnmowers cannot keep up. i have a borrowed push mower, and have cut back the yard, and pathways to greenhouse and asparagus beds. you must be up early before it heats up, and i confess that temps rising are proportionate to my unwillingness to mow. the horse and goat are out this morning. it has been 70 @ 7 AM, most mornings lately.

here in ga. the rains came at proper time for the fruit crops. little green figs are fast appearing on my old figs trees. i believe they are “brown turkey”- quite large trees (bushes?) a large-fruited brown variety- another bequest from past owners. they are quickly picked and preserved… the yellow jackets and ants love them as much as i do!
all the peach growers have bumper crops. lots of big blueberries and blackberries, too.
i wait ’til mid-july for the “red indian” freestone peaches to freeze, but i have been enjoying a box from nearby orchard while i wait. a juicy mess on my chin, but heavenly flavor!

there are more and more small organic farms springing up; city markets too.
the demand for fresh organic produce is rising, along with public awareness of their healthy delicious products. i sold 35 bunches of asparagus this year- some to the local food co-op, and some to friends.
i recommend the early hard work of setting out the crowns and liberally composting. after that, wood ash the beds every winter, and occasionally use compost or old manure. it is the most rewarding vegetable, with the least amount of yearly work. they get mowed once a year in earliest spring, but live comfortably with the grass. my beds are 25 years old, still producing big spears of green gold! they will long outlive this humble farmer.

all the flowers have been especially gorgeous with proper amounts of rain and sunshine. right now blooming in my yard are several salvia gigantica cultivars. cobalt, sky blue, and one with very dark stems called “black and blue”. the hummingbirds love salvia and i do too. they are hardy, reliable and bloom all season if cut back. the purple globes of the elephant garlic flowers (alliums) stand high, waving in a sudden breeze. their heads bent over from a strong storm revive the next day, and tower over the flowerbeds.

even if mimosa trees are a southern pest, i enjoy the fluffy pale flowers while they last.
the magnolias creamywhite blooms fill the air with that sweet lemony scent. my hydrangias are in full bloom, both the big blue bunches, and the lace-caps. they have grown on the semi-shaded eastern side of the house since i came here-another gift from a former resident. even the bonsai enjoy the rain and shine, although they must be watered, sometimes twice on these summer days. my late-blooming tiny satsuke azalea still displays pale pink freckled blossoms. i am prouder of this “child” as i made it myself 18 years ago. i ve reduced my collection to just 15, for easier care, but temptation is
always there for “just one more”.
almost all gardeners share this desire. (weakness?illness?) i stay away from the plant nurseries this time of year, and start my own seeds. i still plant too many, and must find new homes for my babies each year.

the morning chores are done, the lawnmowers are hard at work…so i am retiring
to the cool den, under the ceiling fan to work on my artwork. perhaps this afternoon, i’ll take a dip in the water trough, my redneck swimming pool. %D
a straw hat and a good novel are crucial, and of course that southern sweet ice tea!
i’ll emerge, refreshed, to tackle the evening duties once more.
Life is good, even if sticky-sweltering temperatures….
best greetings from patagonia farm!

vty- j-lea

Filed Under: About garden flowers, summer

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Oh, hi there!

I was a garden blog pioneer, and began writing on this blog in 2003. Before that I had begun a garden website that has been at its own domain since 2006, Ilona's Garden.

I still love writing, gardening, and art after all these years, although travel and grandchildren have become a big part of my life, now.

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