Enjoying June

Posted on June 15, 2020 by Judy@NewEnglandGardenAndThread

The weather has been great for gardening or just enjoying nature. It’s going to start heating up towards the end of the week so I’m off this morning for another load of wood chips to help retain moisture around the plants.

As a follow up, the carpenter bee trap is working, and the game camera captures very clear photos. I’ve caught the backside of an animal twice, and I’m working on identifying the hole-digging visitor.

The veggies are growing well, the flowers are blooming, the solar bubbler is working, and our raspberries are loaded. We’ve had an enormous amount of pollen which you can see on a couple of the flowers here.

Anyone who is considering raised beds might want to take 10 minutes and watch this video. Ron Christie who created the video was a former UNH Cooperative Extension employee until his veggies became so popular with local restaurants that he went into that business full time and even bought a bigger farm.

If you admire a really organized and good looking vegetable garden, then by all means check out this post from a fellow blogger up north in the state of Washington. Now, they have a Garden with a capital ‘G’.

Or, if you’re looking for gardening inspiration and information from the comfort of your favorite chair, I saw that Berkshire Botanical is offering some pretty interesting online classes.

I finished a small flag wall hanging, planning to rebind another one, and have the material to start a new one for the porch. Gardening in the morning, sewing in the afternoon, and reading in between keeps me from going totally nuts. By the way, our library actually opens its doors today to 20 people at a time. Now, if the local computer store would only reopen so we can get a new battery installed in one of our laptops.

What are you doing during these very challenging and changing times to keep sane?

Stay well and be safe this week. 😎

About Judy@NewEnglandGardenAndThread

Master Gardener who enjoys gardening, quilting, photography, and traveling.
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65 Responses to Enjoying June

  1. Wandering Dawgs says:
    June 15, 2020 at 8:33 am

    Happy Monday! Beautiful garden photos! I’m dealing with a broken computer and looking at getting a new one, pulling weeds and cleaning up garden beds, and reading. The most exciting thing that has happened here is I can now go to water aerobics classes! Social distancing in a pool!

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Murphy's Law says:
    June 15, 2020 at 8:44 am

    All your plants look fabulous. We are buried in pollen here too. Everything is coated with it. If you open windows up to enjoy some fresh air in the house, you will spend a lot of time dusting and vacuuming later! And this is the second year in a row that our hummingbird population is very sparse. I’m so disappointed because I so look forward to seeing two dozen or more flitting around the feeders. They are such fun to watch.

    Hope you get all the chips spread before the heat sets in. And I hope your hole-digging visitor spies the camera and poses for you so you can find out not only what you’re dealing with, but how to deal with it.
    🐾Ginger 🐾

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Dan Antion says:
    June 15, 2020 at 8:46 am

    I hope you have a nice week for those outdoor chores, Judy. The forecast looks pretty good from here. You plants and flowers look beautiful. It looks like they appreciate all your care.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Dorothy's New Vintage Kitchen says:
    June 15, 2020 at 9:00 am

    Such a perfect few days here in southern Vermont to garden and reap some of our early treasurers. I know the heat will return, but this dryness has everyone in a good mood to be outside!

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Laurie Graves says:
    June 15, 2020 at 9:00 am

    Gardening with a capital “G” is right. As we Mainers would say, those are some gardens. Your pictures are beautiful, and I especially love the solar bubbler. It sounds as though you have found a good way to fill your days. For me it’s reading, writing, but no arithmetic.;) Or at least not much. Gardening. Housework. Keeping up with family and friends, near and far. It makes me a more than a little blue to think about how long I might have to go on this way, but these are the times we live in.

    Liked by 1 person

    • NewEnglandGardenAndThread says:
      June 15, 2020 at 11:40 am

      That solar bubbler was very cost effective on line, and I’ve had it a couple of years. It comes with different tips to use but in a shallow bird bath I don’t want it shooting all over the place and evaporating. I’d be okay with the arithmetic, but please don’t bring out the algebra. 🙂 You know, you used the perfect word to describe this period – blue. The sun may be shining, and the temps may be wonderful, but all is not exactly good.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Laurie Graves says:
        June 15, 2020 at 11:46 am

        Yes. Sigh. Although blue is my favorite color, I am feeling blue in the sad sense. It seems as though our country is so far away from getting covid-19 under control. And yet out everyone goes.

        Liked by 1 person

  6. circadianreflections says:
    June 15, 2020 at 9:02 am

    Your garden flowers look beautiful. I’m going to check out Carpenter Bee and wasp traps as we have both.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Joyce says:
    June 15, 2020 at 9:03 am

    You’ve nurtured a beautiful rainbow there! My regret about living in shade is the lack of bright colors available in anything other than impatiens for the front of the house. But we have Bee Balm and other wildflower types growing along the edge of the woods where there’s the most sun. It’s fun watching the wave of color change over the weeks.
    For sanity here, we’ve been invited to the kids’ homes very recently to celebrate kids’ birthdays. We get one weekend evening and the other grandparents take the other! Just had one last night and I feel far less hopeless today! Might even venture out to Sam’s Club for curbside pickup of the cat food and litter we seem to always need around here!
    Would love to see a pic of your flag wall hanging! I fizzled out on my hand quilting when I got tired of it a week or so ago. Going to resume work this week.
    On the edge of my seat waiting to find out what critter is digging that tunnel! Aren’t those cameras fun?

    Liked by 1 person

    • NewEnglandGardenAndThread says:
      June 15, 2020 at 3:37 pm

      Oh, you got to see the grandkids! I’ve seen mine in the distance. I can imagine your spirits were lifted immediately. I have found it challenging to keep grocery lists for two humans organized to keep ahead of the game, but I cannot even imagine your list for all your furry family members. The flag is pretty simple but I’ll include a shot, and that critter is a formidable foe. 🙂

      Like

  8. Kate Crimmins says:
    June 15, 2020 at 9:07 am

    I”m interested in that bubbler. I have a bird bath that looks a lot like yours. I’m afraid the bubbler would take a lot of room. I have robins go in and take baths together. Afterward there is a layer of mud at the bottom. Gotta love birds. I also bought a night camera several years ago. It was an expensive purpose (not for the camera but for what came next). Something was going in my pond every night and toppling my water lilies and other plants. Some were eaten. I’ve seen groundhogs try to grab them from the edge but never go in the water so we set up the camera. My pond is small — 5′ x 11′. We found that a doe came in every night for a “swim” and some buffet. That lead to installing a very expensive deer proof fence around a section of the yard. She was big enough to damage the liner.

    Liked by 2 people

    • NewEnglandGardenAndThread says:
      June 15, 2020 at 6:23 pm

      The bubbler itself is not too big, but it kind of floats around so I put three rocks in to hold it in the center and for butterflies to sit on to have a drink. If it just floated around there would be enough room. It does make a really little buzzing sound from the solar so the bird might wonder what the heck that little noise is he hears. 🙂 Yes, the camera is definitely not the end of the project but rather the beginning. A groundhog I have experience trapping, but this didn’t bite (pardon the pun) the cantaloupe that I left so I’m not sure what it is. I’m hoping I don’t need a fence or anything else that expense.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. dennyho says:
    June 15, 2020 at 10:24 am

    I very much appreciate the gardening links!!! Enjoy time in your colorful space.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. susurrus says:
    June 15, 2020 at 11:34 am

    I love your rainbow of flowers and the Chilly Veggie Garden puts my tiny patch of peas to shame. I need more sticks!

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Oddment says:
    June 15, 2020 at 12:01 pm

    How beautiful! And how apt for June! Granted, we are not in a good place right now, but seeing these June blooms certainly lifts our drooping spirits, and so thanks! I think I can hear happy birds in your birdbath even from here. As for keeping sane, I don’t know. Do sane people talk to the peanut butter?

    Liked by 2 people

  12. Marilyn Armstrong says:
    June 15, 2020 at 1:34 pm

    The flowers are beautiful, which is amazing since we haven’t done any gardening. Between the COVID issues and the intensity of the pollen here, going out makes it very hard to breathe — or SEE.

    Liked by 2 people

  13. Nancy says:
    June 15, 2020 at 2:21 pm

    Hello and Happy Monday from Pennsylvania! Your veggies look delish and what beautiful flowers you have.

    As for me keeping busy… I am doing just that. Weeding, dividing, transplanting, clipping and cutting back overgrowth. We arrived too late in the spring so… we have a JUNGLE! But good news… all my plants did well except for 3 hostas and I do believe deer got them. Sweet man put in a veggie garden and is tending to the cars getting up and running. His tractor started right up!
    So not bored at all. And loving every minute of it!

    Liked by 2 people

  14. snakesinthegrass2014 says:
    June 15, 2020 at 2:29 pm

    Garden with a capital “G” indeed! Thanks for the referral to March’s post because that is one impressive vegetable garden. Your flowers are beautiful! – Marty

    Liked by 2 people

  15. March Picker says:
    June 15, 2020 at 4:18 pm

    Judy, you are a dear to include me and my garden today! I am honored. Your colors are extraordinary in those photos, and the tub of romaine (yes?) is perfection.

    Liked by 2 people

    • NewEnglandGardenAndThread says:
      June 16, 2020 at 5:56 am

      I certainly know an exemplary garden when I see it, and boy howdy that sure describes yours. It was my pleasure to share. 🙂 Yes, I have two tubs of romaine, and they seem to like those little containers.

      Like

  16. Janis @ RetirementallyChallenged.com says:
    June 15, 2020 at 4:37 pm

    Wow, that garden with a capital G puts my little effort to shame. I love your birdbath (and I imagine the birds do too!).

    Liked by 2 people

    • NewEnglandGardenAndThread says:
      June 16, 2020 at 5:59 am

      That is one beautiful and highly productive garden isn’t it. I was so impressed I just wated more people to see it. The little birdbath works pretty well. I keep the ‘bubbler’ on and not the various sprayer options because then the water doesn’t evaporate as fast.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. sustainabilitea says:
    June 15, 2020 at 5:10 pm

    Beautiful garden shots as always. Not too much pollen from the cacti in our yard, but we have another three fabulous torch cactus flowers this morning (already wilting) with several more waiting to bloom. I’ve lots track if this is the 6th or 7th round, but it’s amazing. On the veggie front, I’ve mulched the raised beds and sheltered the three tomato plants from the sun. I water every two days and that seems to be working. Fall will be planting time. The oregano seems to be doing well and the artichoke is growing, but it will be quite some time for it to do anything yet. I bought a sansevieria for the bedroom and my indoor plants seem to have recovered from long overdue repotting not long ago. As gardening goes, I aim to be small but mighty. 🙂

    On other fronts, I’m reading myself into a stupor, walking at the Preserve, and waiting for our daughter and son-in-law to arrive Wednesday afternoon for a short stay. Company! Imagine that.

    Cheers!

    janet

    Liked by 2 people

  18. Eliza Waters says:
    June 15, 2020 at 6:30 pm

    I love your header photo – freshly unfurled hosta are so beautiful.
    Isn’t this cool spell wonderful for gardening? It’s like a bonus of May days. I’ve been outside most of the day, so have little time for reading or putting my feet up except when taking a break to read a few blogs. I know we really need more rain, but I’m enjoying the great weather.

    Liked by 2 people

    • NewEnglandGardenAndThread says:
      June 16, 2020 at 6:13 am

      I do love my hosta. 🙂 This weather has been downright amazing. It has truly been a gift to the gardener or the person who wants to enjoy just some time sitting on their deck or patio. We’ve got to hurry though because the heat is coming. 🙂

      Like

  19. germac4 says:
    June 15, 2020 at 7:19 pm

    I love your flowers ( especially the clematis) and the solar bird bath Is great …I’d love to get one in summer…I don’t know why we haven’t thought of one before…our summers are hot enough! Our borders and restrictions are loosening here so we are going to see our daughter and family, 😍😍
    In the meanwhile, aren’t we lucky to have gardens at this time! 👌
    Enjoy summer!

    Liked by 2 people

  20. KhushbooV says:
    June 16, 2020 at 4:27 am

    I really loved the picture gallery. The flowers are so beautiful. Have a beautiful summer.
    Stay safe!

    Liked by 1 person

  21. pbmgarden says:
    June 16, 2020 at 9:25 am

    Your Garden is looking Great Judy. Take care.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. the eternal traveller says:
    June 16, 2020 at 8:02 pm

    What a lovely treat to have your own raspberries growing. I don’t think I’ve mentioned that we’re going to become grandparents later in the year – so exciting. I haven’t made a quilt for several years, too busy crocheting. But I got some favourite fabrics out of my stash, bought a lovely green background and pieced a baby quilt top. It’s so beautiful. I can’t wait to gift it to my daughter and her husband. Now I’m back to the crocheting, finishing two WIPs before I start on a cotton wrap for the baby. It will be almost summer when he/she is born and where they live is very humid so a cotton wrap will perfect.

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Eilene Lyon says:
    June 16, 2020 at 8:02 pm

    Magnificent flowers!

    I don’t think getting a new computer and new internet service were good for my sanity, but at least the gardens are there to help me unwind!

    Liked by 1 person

  24. bikerchick57 says:
    June 17, 2020 at 6:47 pm

    Judy, your flowers are gorgeous and the mention of raspberries have my mouth watering. I love fresh raspberries over coconut ice cream. Yum!

    I went biking this morning and that has been a saving grace in the work from/stay at home pandemic times.

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Eunice Miller says:
    June 18, 2020 at 9:56 am

    Stunning now for just a bit of rain who would think after all we had in April and May we need more. Have a wonderful day!

    Liked by 1 person

  26. Ally Bean says:
    June 19, 2020 at 9:36 am

    Your photos of your flowers and plants are lovely. While I’m trying to make our flowers grow, they seem reluctant to get onboard with that idea. Maybe July will give them the nudge they need to be worthy of photographing. And if it doesn’t? Oh well, I’m entertained just trying. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

  27. gardeninacity says:
    June 19, 2020 at 1:43 pm

    Your garden is looking great. I missed that you put out a trap for carpenter bees. What are you trapping them for?

    Liked by 1 person

  28. Joanne Sisco says:
    June 22, 2020 at 6:58 am

    I’m one of the MANY people who have been embracing gardening during this weird time. In particular, I continue to be inspired by container growing that I see pop up often. Do I spy spinach greens in that small galvanized tub?
    Yesterday I popped out into my (very) modest garden to harvest some dill and chives for a dip I was making. The sense of pride I felt was actually quite ridiculous 😉 … and the dip was delicious.

    Liked by 1 person

    • NewEnglandGardenAndThread says:
      June 22, 2020 at 7:18 am

      Very close, they are romaine lettuce plants. I harvested a huge bag over the weekend. I love container gardening – easier to move around, store, and you can dress them up. That dip sounds delicious. Gardening and pool time are good hobbies during this pandemic. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  29. Karen says:
    June 28, 2020 at 11:53 am

    Love the photo gallery of all the vibrant colored blossoms. It sounds like you have settled into a nice routine. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

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