Here we are halfway through August heading into fall. Yes, the leaves of some trees are starting to turn.
At home, we worked through several days of sweltering heat and humidity. It was wicked hot and swampy humid.
The temps this week are suppose to be more normal, but the humidity is staying with us. I’ve started on some gardening changes for next year.
I added 8′ to the left of my shed so I could move the potting table from the other side, and then put a container in its place so it would get more sun. Pull up edging, put it back down, take grass down to the soil and cover with landscape fabric which is one of the only good applications for fabric, shovel wood chips, and it’s ready to go.
Why did I do all that work in the summer, well, because I had several examples of plants doing extremely better in full sun including the Cannas, Mexican Sunflowers, and the Dahlias, and I wanted to be ready to go next season. In the top right corner, inside a green plastic fence, is a small elderberry that is about 3′ tall. I’m trying to keep the deer from eating it. We’ll see how I do with that. 🙂
Mexican Sunflower 
Crocosmia Lucifer in front of a peony
We’re also back to staying out of crowds since the Covid numbers seem to be increasing almost 30% every week. NH is stuck at a 58% vaccinated rate, and that doesn’t seem to be increasing. We had a taste of somewhat normal, and now it seems to be raging again only with different variants. Last year the hospitals were full of seniors, and this year the beds are occupied by young people. Does this concern you? We’ve never stopped wearing masks inside, and it looks like that won’t be changing anytime soon.
Last week, we took a couple of rides to check out the water at New Castle and Alton Bay – beautiful and serene even though it was hazy.
New Castle 
Alton Bay 
If you are in the area and see a local restaurant, Johnson’s, and stop for ice cream, beware. When you order a sundae, it is delicious but could feed a family. No dinner that night.
Happy August 16th, hope all is well in your world.
Gardeners are always planning, aren’t they? Usually the plans really do make a big difference. As for Covid…how very discouraging. In Maine, for two brief months, we had a slice of normal—getting together with friends, meeting at the local brewery, and generally enjoying the simple life. Now the numbers are up, and we are back to square one. Sigh. Covid certainly isn’t done with us, no matter what we might wish.
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I feel the same way – it receded, but it came back with a roar, and we’re sure treading water right now. Stay well and enjoy that patio.
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A roar is right. Depressing, but we have to deal with the reality of the situation. Also, you might like to know that the university that my daughter works for is wondering weather 6 feet is enough for social distancing. The new recommendation seems to be 9 feet because of the increased viral load of the Delta variant. Now that is extremely sobering. The university isn’t sure how to proceed.
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6-9′, now that is interesting especially along with the fact that there should have been more time between the two shots to increase the effectiveness.
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Sigh.
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Love your work! It will be worth the effort, even in all that heat!
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I think it will make a difference next year with more blooms for the hummingbirds. One thing about gardening plans, they can always be adjusted and tweaked as long as you have the muscle.
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Good Morning Judy… I’m having coffee with you this morning.
I also changed some gardens up for anticipation of next summer. We will see how it goes. Your gardens are beautiful and such a delight to see.
Yes we are wearing masks in some places again… I’m not at all as frightened as I use to be as I am double vaccinated. But I hope by wearing a mask I won’t get sick (vaccinations are not bullet proof as we knew that going in… but they will keep us from dying) and I hope by wearing one it helps stop the spread. I still am going out and enjoying life. Around here… there is an uptick in vaccinations again. Thankfully! Here we are at a 68% of people being vaccinated.
Lots of rain is forecasted for us this week. So… we need to work in between the raindrops.
Have a lovely week my friend… it was nice having coffee with you today.
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I am enjoying my early afternoon coffee while reading your comment. 🙂 Your vaccination rate is right up there. 👏🏻👏🏻 Yes, by wearing a mask indoors I feel like I’m keeping myself from getting sick as well as protecting my fellow residents. I wish I didn’t have to, but it’s a small thing with a proven result. Hooray for your rain. We haven’t had any in a while so I’ve been watering. Happy gardening!
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The heat last week certainly was challenging, so I’m enjoying the cooler temps. The katydids have been amazing to listen to now that we can have the windows open at night again. Summer is a great time of year, even it gets a bit hot and sticky sometimes. 🙂
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I thought about opening our windows, but we’re getting some high humidity so I’ll keep them closed for a while longer. Summer is definitely a great time of year! I planted 24 Crocosmia bulbs this spring and most have survived except for a couple I lost to the squirrels. I have two that have bloomed, and I almost did a happy dance.
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I love crocosmia, such a graceful flower, but so do the voles in winter. They got most of my patch last winter. It happens every few years as their populations rise and fall. Rodents do challenge us!
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Hmm, I’m guessing I’ll lose mine as well then. Yes, those rodents of all shapes and sizes do challenge us. I’d hate to dig them up, but…
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I’ve thought about laying hardware cloth down and covering it with leaves, soil or mulch but not sure if it’d work. They tend to rise and fall in number year to year. Only twice have I had a noticeable devastation. A nibble here and there is okay, but a 3′ circle is a bit much!
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How do you have yours planted? All together or spaced around?
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In groups, but they self-sow around, so there generally are new ones to take the place of the ones that get eaten. I think the new paradigm is to plant 30% more than you need and allow some damage from wildlife. What percentage damage is acceptable will depend on the plant. I recently read on a nursery site that they expect up to a quarter to fail!
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I enjoy keeping up with you through your blog. You are one busy lady. Me? I’m lazy compared to you. Keep wearing your mask. I’ve been wearing mine even when I didn’t need to. Enjoy the rest of the summer.
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Hi there! You’re not lazy, you’re the Puzzle Queen of North America, and I bow to your skills. Yes, we wear the mask because it just seems to be the right thing to do. You enjoy the rest of the summer as well, and fingers crossed we get to spend the winter together.
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Good morning from southern western Idaho has been hot and smoky from the fires. Yes, the California’s fires reach us. Covid is increasing in the area. Both of us have our shots. Masks are coming back. My 90th birthday has past. I am sill reading a book a day. Not much gardening.
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Good to hear from you and Happy belated birthday! I read two to three books a week so you have me beat. 🙂 There’s something special about a well written book. We had some smoke from the Canadian wildfires a couple of weeks back. That was the first time that I remember. It sure hits air quality hard. Stay well.
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Looks nice Judy. Good luck with the Elderberry. Are you going to make jam or wands ? Does anyone in your area sell shredded chicken feathers for deer repellant ? Our local metroparks uses them on the plantings around their signs. They are supposed to last a month and not affected by rain. The product is a powder and looks like cinnamon.
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I’m hoping the enjoy the flowers and then harvest some berries. 🤞 I was not aware of shredded chicken feathers, but I’m headed to go look it up. Thanks for the tip, John.
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That Mexican sunflower! (All your things are lovely.) As for the pandemic & variants, it’s a scary time; masks work, is all one can say. As for Fall, I am almost ready — heat & humidity (without a backyard pool) wears me out quickly and thoroughly; gardeners are warrior material! I’d say, bring on the apple picking!
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Yep, masks works, and we’ll both leave it there. 🙂 No pool here either, but that sure sounds nice doesn’t it. I surely do love any fruit season, and apples are right up near the top. I LOVE Macoun apples. Happy pre fall. 🙂
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TY!
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Hmmmm…..”some people” make their gardens so cozy and inviting and then they wonder why deer and muskrats etc. want to move right in! (wink, wink! I wonder who?) 🙂
The continuing presence of covid does concern me. My Texas twin granddaughters started 3rd grade last Thursday. Yesterday arrived a notice that both teacher and a student tested positive. They have the option of staying home for 10 without penalty. TWO DAYS in to an exciting new year and it’s off to a start like this – in a state where schools are not allowed to mandate masks. (The girls wore one regardless, as did half the students, but not the teacher.) Pediatric wards are FULL there, too. Somebody’s got to get serious about precautions and stop vilifying the governors who aren’t afraid of mandates. What a mess!
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I must admit I’m liking how this garden is working out. 🙂 Your TX story makes me so sad not only because it is your family, but because it could be contained more than it is through simple measures. I live in a state that depends heavily upon tourism but at what expense. The first time around the numbers mattered and adjustments were made. This time around the numbers don’t seem to matter and a lot of folks go on their merry way while the hospitals fill back up, and we lose our children and grandchildren. Yes – what a mess! Stay well, and I will keep your family in my prayers as I will our TX family members with school aged children as well.
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Your garden makes me want to walk on that path to see all the flowers. I love the shed! Your ice cream picture makes me want ice cream! Happy Monday!
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I’ve never eaten an ice cream that big ever! It sure was good though. 🙂
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Your garden looks so inviting and beautiful. I hope the fencing works and the deer can’t get to the new Elderberry tree.
An ice cream sundae for dinner once in a while sounds like a good plan to me! Keeps you young, and happy I bet! 😀🍦
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That ice cream was pretty tasty. 🙂
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Judy, your garden is so cheerful. I just planted an herb pot and am battling rabbits, so I feel your pain about the deer. In terms of the COVID resurgence; I haven’t worn my mask much since being vaccinated. Then again, I am not typically in crowded places and I interact exclusively with the same bunch of people every week. When we eat out, we choose a place that isn’t crowded. COVID is still very much on my mind, but I am trying not to let it control every aspect of my life. I respect anyone’s right to have an opinion and make decisions for themselves, but some things are just common sense. Have a great week.
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Hope your herb pot turns out great. I’ve heard from gardeners all over the country regarding their battle with rabbits. Seems like they are quite plentiful and very hungry.
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I love your shed and the planting areas surrounding it. Why have I not heard of Mexican Sunflowers? I love sunflowers and I love Mexico… I need to plant some in my garden! Stay safe and hydrated.
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The pollinators and hummingbirds love those Mexican Sunflowers. Timely that you mention hydration because I found that a problem last week with all that humidity. Good reminder.
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Your shed and the surrounding area look like a fantasy Disney creation, No wonder all the critters like to hang out in your yard. It’s critter friendly,
That sundae would last me to Wednesday! Perfect hot weather dinner.
Your flowers are gorgeous, as always. Leaves turning here too and already dropping to the ground. Today is a perfect weather day and some rain predicted every day for the rest of the week.
We remain masked. We’re definitely in the minority. I think COVID is a bottomless pit!
Ginger
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There is something strange about flowers blooming and leaves falling, but that’s what’s happening. That was the biggest ice cream I’d ever seen. Covid certainly is not going away anytime soon.
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Ice cream for dinner? That’s the best!
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Not healthy unless you count the milk and that’s pushing it, but it sure was tasty. 🙂
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Lots of calcium. The occasional non-healthy is ok.
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Your blog posts are so well balanced: elderberries, placid waters, cannas….goo! What a great way to deal with heat, humidity and people in general. Indiana is not doing well at all with transmissions but a lot of people seem to pretend that it is so I am in the minority with my mask. I don’t like the mask one bit but I think I’d like a ventilator even less. What a time we are in. Your beautiful garden and goo are excellent antidote to it all! Thanks for the uplift!
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I always admire your way with words, and you certainly didn’t disappoint – “..don’t like the mask one bit, but I think I’d like the ventilator even less.” That one sentence sums it up for me too.
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When we went for ice cream anywhere in New Hampshire, we always ordered the kiddie cup and that was a lot. 😊 I can understand why you are working even in the heat, as they say…make hay while the sun shines. Just don’t over do.
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Yes, kiddie size is perfect, but here they had one size. I certainly know now. 🙂 As crazy as the weather is, I guess that’s what I thought – do it while I can. It would be nice if Mother Nature would dial back that humidity though.
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I like the Mexican sunflower. It looks like a midwestern sunflower all fancied up in red. Your garden is lovely. Staying home and tending it certainly has worked out well.
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Yes, that has been a benefit to avoiding crowds – the garden is doing well. 🙂
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That sundae looks so good, Judy. Your garden area next to your shed (and your shed) also look very good, but you know, ice cream. It’s funny how we think about these projects over the winter, but do them in the heat. Sometimes, I don’t know which extreme is harder to work in. I know you can’t make a garden area in winter, but sometimes I wonder if I’m going to have to alter my plans.
I hope you enjoy the rest of the week.
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The way our weather keeps changing, we probably could be working outside right up until November. Although, I run out of steam by then. 🙂
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Me too.
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Judy, your garden is so inspirational. I always want to get into mine after I read your posts. We are safe and covid free here where we live but it’s not the same story in Sydney and all of New South Wales, where delta is raging. Even though we are not directly affected, it means we can’t see our daughter who lives in Sydney and we can’t see any of Mr ET’s family in Victoria because all the state borders are closed. This disease is controlling all our lives, because a few people won’t do as they are asked. It’s quite frightening and here too the cohort most affected is under 40 and includes many children. I hope you are able to stay safe and well.
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You’ll be back in your garden soon, and I’ll be at the sewing machine. 🙂 You are so right, this disease is definitely calling the shots. The massive negative response to getting a simple shot was something I wasn’t expecting, but… We err on the side of caution and go from there. It’s not a return to normal that we hoped for, but at this point it is the best choice for us. You guys stay well, and I hope you get to see family soon. Tough times.
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Thanks. Best wishes to you too.
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I enjoyed your post, and your garden and shed looks so professional and organised! Inspirational for us as we are having a lovely spring and definitely keeping away from trouble by spending time in the garden. Our situation is very similar to the comments above, Canberra is surrounded by the state of New South Wales, and they have climbing numbers every day. As you have said, alarming to have younger people getting the Delta strain. We are in Lockdown, and must wear mask out of the home and only leave the house for one hour a day for essential shopping and for exercise. But we cannot see our grandchildren and our daughters, so that is frustrating. However, keeping busy in the garden is a relief. Best wishes for the coming autumn. We are lucky to have blogger friends, to catch up on world wide stories… (all so similar at the moment).
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Spending time in our gardens has certainly provided solace for the body and the soul. I am so sorry your lockdown restricts family visits, but I applaud your government for doing what is best for the most. We lean more towards the tail wagging the dog, and it’s not a good place to be.
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Thanks Judy
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I love this garden area around your shed. Container gardening is the direction I’ll be going in to landscape around the pool – if and when this backyard renovation is ever completed. This will be my big project for next spring since this construction job seems to be moving at a snail’s pace … but then again, don’t they all? 😏
We’ve had a few glorious days of reprieve from the humidity, but today it will be moving back in again. I better get out and water this morning because the rain we were promised overnight never materialized – again. After all the sogginess of July, I can’t believe I’m wishing for rain.
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One thing about container gardening is it has come a long way especially with the large self-watering types. A MG friend does amazing containers with big canna lilies in the back – they are jaw dropping this time of year. I am looking forward to seeing photos of your ‘new’ backyard, and then you can look for those perfect containers during the white months. I’m with you – I thought July’s rain was plenty, but it’s getting dry around here. Stay well.
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Self-watering containers?! Such a unicorn exists?! Now I know what I should be looking for 🙂
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They are more expensive, but they contain a tank. You fill the tank, it dispenses the water. A friend who had very large entry containers swears by them. She bought hers at Gardeners Supply, gardeners.com.
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Thanks! I’ll take a look … and then hold you responsible for the dent in my credit card 😆
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I love that snapshot of your garden. It’s beautiful. I really like the Mexican Sunflowers as well. Our state is moving back into the red zone. We dropped the mask mandate, even though lots of people never followed it to begin with so here we are again. D:
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It’s like we’re living Ground Hog Day. Stay well, and good to see you.
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The chokeberry photo is just lovely! I also love your garden shot, what a splendid shed!
That sundae looks good, and if I ate one now, I maybe wouldn’t need lunch? 😛
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No, you wouldn’t have needed lunch, but maybe a nap. 🙂
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Oh my goodness Judy, you have been working very hard. Hopefully, the deer will leave your beautiful flowers alone. Covid continues to be a very complex worry.
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Thank you. Yes, you describe the situation quite well – complex. It has certainly morphed into a long-term issue that we’re all still trying to get a grip on. Stay well, and keep cooking. 🙂
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Judy, that is such a colorful and pretty area for work and sheer enjoyment. Increasingly concerned here also and continuing to wear masks. Booster asap.
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That’s our plan – take advantage of options for protection. Stay well.
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We’ve had the wettest weather here going back to at least May. Rain every day, though curiously not all that humid (this being Florida and all.). Well, that ended this week. It’s hot and uncomfortably humid. My “work” earlier was bringing groceries back from the car, and I thought I was ready for a nap afterwards! Your shed area is beautiful and the wood chips make it perfect.
Yes, for a brief moment we all had a taste of freedom again. Now it’s back to masks and distancing from people again. One step forward… two back. – Marty
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Our humidity has been swamp like. I’m use to working outside in the summer, but I work 20 minutes, sit and drink half a bottle of water, start over. 🙂 You are right, we’re back where we were except the majority of folks are just ignoring it which makes it more challenging for those of us who are concerned. FL sure has some scary numbers right now. You and Gorgeous stay well.
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Your bottle tree reminds me I need to capture my neighbor’s. Seems she has worked quite hard at hers 🙂
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I’ll look forward to seeing it. People get creative, and I always enjoy that.
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What do you think of starting an American Tithonia Society? There are so many other plant societies … And yet, why are they so hard to find at nurseries and garden centers?
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Wow – fascinating question. I don’t know anything about starting a society, but I’m willing to learn. 🙂 They flat out do not sell them here. The only way to have them in your garden is to grow from seed. They are fascinating to watch because of all the pollinators, and they grow so differently depending upon the light and soil conditions.
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When the humidity hangs like a hot, wet blanket over the land, I have been escaping more and more to the wilds of a Maine lake where the breezes are cooler and Wi-Fi and cells can’t find me. It is sometimes refreshing to isolate away from everything. I missed Henri but see that my garden enjoyed the rain… except for the hydrangea that lay flat. Your blooms are gorgeous!
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There’s a lot of ‘noise’ in the world coming from all directions so I can imagine a break from it as well as the wet blanket weather (which is a perfect description) was welcome. Sorry about the hydrangea though.
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