Time To Evaluate Your Garden

Now that we’ve reached June, we’re not just half-way through the year, we are in the perfect moment to evaluate what we’ve done so far. This may seem obvious when considering your weight loss regime or your academic accomplishments, but it also a wonderful time to evaluate your backyard garden. As you bask in the balmy weather and drink in the beauty of what you’ve created, it can’t hurt to cast a critical eye around. Most people put a great deal of time into planning a garden, so it just makes sense to spend some time figuring out how well your plan worked. Be sure to document your observations since a garden is an ever-changing thing and its many months until next season. 

Everyone’s yard and vision are unique, but here are some general questions and guidelines to consider:

PLANT CHOICE & PERFORMANCE 

1. Did you cultivate just flowering plants, just vegetables, or a combination of both? Do you want to use the same approach next year?

2. If you planted vegetables, did your family like and eat what you produced? Did some produce more than you could use? With all plants, ask yourself which ones did well, and which ones failed? Did the plants grow as you expected (height, width, vining or not, etc.)? Did some take over the garden and force others out? 

3. Examine why some plants performed better than others. Can failures be attributed to pests, insects, or fungal diseases? If you are committed to following an IPM (Integrated Pest Management) system, this evaluation and documentation process is an important part of the protocol.

4. Has your garden performed consistently over the last few months? Or have some plants already peaked and died, leaving unsightly dead patches? If plants have failed, would another type of plant work better? 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

1. Carefully track across a day to figure out how much sun your garden actually gets. In general, your garden should get between 8-10 hours of full sun every day. Is sunlight exposure consistent across the garden? 

2. Water access is essential. Have you planted in such that the entire area can be effectively watered? Are there areas that are prone to standing water after rain? Are there areas where the runoff is greater than the water that is used?

3. Are there areas that are more susceptible to environmental occurrences like high winds or frost? Is heat reflecting off of concrete or shiny metal surfaces and causing plants to wither? Are there emissions from nearby roadways that are choking your plants?

FUNCTIONALITY

1. Overall, how well is the garden working for you?

2. Could your soil be a factor in how your plants have performed? How aggressive, or gentle, should you be in prepping your soil for next year? Are there specific needs that have become clear (soil is too compacted, won’t retain water, etc.).

3. Is the garden setup in concert with how your family uses the available outdoor space? Is the volleyball court too close to the flowers? Are seating areas vying for the best shade/sun ratio as the plants?

4. What can you do to make the garden more native plant and pollinator friendly?

5. Are you comfortable with the amount of time that your garden takes to maintain? If not, what can you do to make it less time intensive?

I hope that you are well pleased with what you have created in your backyard garden; even so, we all know that looking at new plants and changing things out is great fun for gardeners. Change can be refreshing, and at times even beneficial, but there’s no need to make changes unless they are warranted and/or desired. The most important thing to remember is to take time to simply enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Take Care,   Pam               

5 Simple Ways To Celebrate The Summer Solstice

The summer solstice will make its yearly appearance on Sunday, June 21, 2026. It is the longest day of the year and considered by many to be the mid-point of the summer. Scientists have concluded that humans have marked this particular day since Neolithic times (ca. 7000-1700 BCE.), and there are many gatherings that mark this day with traditional bonfires, flower garlands, rituals, and dancing. But what if dancing with flowers in your hair is not your thing? I’m here to suggest some alternative celebrations.

As part of  their ongoing efforts to recognize and celebrate the native peoples of their country, Canada has named the summer solstice as National Indigenous People’s Day. This is meant to acknowledge the importance this day holds for native peoples. You could easily join in celebrating these cultures by seeking out the tribes in your area and see if they are conducting festivities that are open to visitors. If that is not an option, perhaps you could visit a museum that tells their story. If all else fails, go to the Indian Casino near you. It might not offer much in the way of culture, but you will be directly supporting the tribe.

In China, they celebrate the summer solstice with the Xiazhi festival, an ancient celebration that dates back to the Han Dynasty (206 BCE- 220 CE). In its early days, people took time off to enjoy the warm weather and the bounty of the season. Naturally, this time off was limited to officials and people of means as the average person had to work daily. An essential part of this festival is eating noodles, with cold noodles being the staple .It is believed that the cold noodles cool the body in the summer heat and fortify it for the long summer days of working in the fields. In Shandong, there is a proverb that says that dumplings are for the winter solstice and noodles are for the summer. You can join in their celebration remotely by hitting up your favorite noodle spot. And perhaps even trying some cold ones.

In the remote Shetland Islands of Scotland, the Simmer Dim festival is not your everyday nature-worshipping gathering. While nature may be appreciated, worship is reserved for the hundreds of motorcycles that show up to celebrate the longest day of the year. Riding time is severely limited for most of the year in northern climates, so once it’s warm enough bikers are itching to get out there. At this time in June there is sunlight for about 19 hours a day, which gives riders plenty of time to explore the scenic islands. Simmer Dim is by invite only, so few people get to experience the adventure. If you want to celebrate the longest day of the year on your bike then just get on out there and go! 

This next summer solstice event is a far cry from a boisterous bike rally - it is the Day of Private Reflection and is observed in Northern Ireland, the UK and the Republic of Ireland. This event is meant to be an opportunity for people to reflect on the long-running (1698-1998) religious and political conflict in Northern Island, often referred to as The Troubles. The point of reflection on this day is for people to consider the deep pain and profound sense of loss that the violence caused for Northern Ireland. Awareness can become understanding, which in turn can lead to a strong desire for a lasting peace. To participate in this social experiment, you really only need to think deeply - on this subject of course. No letting your mind wander! Alternatively, you could watch one of these excellent films to get your empathy going.

How do you feel about yoga? In September 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested that the longest day of the year should be known as the International Day of Yoga. Yoga originated in India and the point of the special day is to showcase the important role it plays in Indian culture. PM Modi is a strong advocate for good health, so the undeniable benefits of yoga are also something that has been touted. If you know and like yoga, do a little on June 21st. If you know nothing about it, give it a try.

So there you have it, five ways to do your own summer solstice celebration. If none of these resonates with you, I hope your interest is piqued enough that  you’ll create something just for you.

Take Care, Pam