Yesterday, I learned that the flowers of flowering red currant are delicious, which made me very excited. I also learned that the neighbors parrot learned the sound of my truck backing up….beeep….beeep....beeep. Which made me both laugh and feel pretty bad at the same time.
And I remembered a story. When I lived in Guatemala, I was in a boat, crossing the stunning 6 mile Lake Atitlan flanked by volcanoes and hillside villages, accompanied by locals, a few other Peace Corps volunteers, and one very, very stressed out American on a yoga retreat. The boat was delayed, the view was gorgeous, the water was rough, and the voyage was going to take the time it was going to take. In her frustration, this ‘yogini’ shouted/whispered/grunted in English to the Spanish speaking captain: “Can you f$%*ing hurry up?! I'm going to miss my yoga class!”.
I could stop this story here, encouraging you to be as deliciously judgmental as I was, the obvious irony of being on a yoga retreat but being unable to find the peace and serenity in whatever moment arises. But really, who of us has not been in this situation? Maybe she was missing a visiting teacher who was the whole point for her retreat. Or maybe she was actually the teacher herself? I'll give her grace that there was a valid excuse to be seething. But really, there wasn't. She was in the middle of one of the most iconic lakes in Central America. On a beautiful, safe and serene passage. On her way to a yoga retreat center. Things were fine. She was fine.
But this is a newsletter about gardens, and you know what? Your gardens are fine too. They really are. I know you didn't get to mulching yet this year, or that your young ferns are yellowed because it's as hot as the surface of the sun this week here in Seattle. Or that all you can see is what you did not get to this spring. But it's all going to be okay. Go outside today and enjoy what's growing really well. Enjoy the view, and remember that a well tended garden is a journey of exploration, not a drag and drop situation. Today is not the day to panic over a garden. That's all I have for your June to-do list.
But if you want more:
Mulch if you did not yet already this season. It really, really helps keep moisture in, builds soil, and reduces weeds. Mulching needs will be reduced as a connected garden grows in.
Water deeply, regularly and early in the morning. And as you do appreciate what's beautiful about your space and what you've done to help it come along. Take pictures and notes. Be patient.
Trim spent flowers and yellowed, brown or diseased leaves: This will make the plant tidier, and reduce the amount of energy it needs to do to try and repair those pieces of the plant that will never come back.
Resist the temptation to make changes to your garden. I know, I know. It's hard to resist. But moving plants in the middle of the summer is like asking you to do a workout at 2am…I mean, you could… All of the plants' energy is in the arial parts (leaves, stems, flowers, fruit) right now, so the roots will have less energy to make the move successfully. Wait until late fall or early spring, or if you absolutely have to (I mean, is that a thing?) at least until a cooler, wetter stretch of weather.
Plan for the fall and the spring. What's missing? What areas of the garden are not bringing you joy? The lawn? The empty garden box? Planning now, either on your own or with me, allows you to take the time to configure the map, the plant list and the approach, ultimately saving you time and money. Fall planting season will be here before you know it!