Special to the Observer, Ruth Markle, Fort Erie Horticultural Society, August 18, 2022, VOL. 3 ISSUE 26
August brings its own particular touch to a summer of hot and humid and dry. While I have thoroughly enjoyed these long days of heat that brought along the summer blooms and lots of fun in the sunshine…my garden and the gardens of friends have needed more care.
There were lovely evenings in July when we could sit outside quite late and enjoy the warmth and surprisingly…no mosquitos! And I did discover…yet again… the weeds that grow do not take a break… no matter the weather!
As I worked in my volunteer spaces around the area I noticed beautiful blooms on lillies and day lillies, the hosta gave out lovely blooms to attract hummingbirds and butterflies and the shrubs everywhere seemed to be ‘ever blooming’.
I have many friends who grow and live in many places all over the world. We all stay in touch through the thriving season…all their photos and comments show a growth that surpasses other years… That is the great side of dry and hot weather…And of course, the ‘down ‘ side is that everything needed more water this year. Time to add another rain barrel I think and to keep concentrating on planting sedum and other varieties that store moisture and can continue to thrive in dry and hot conditions. I think we shall have continued hot and dry summers in the future. So it is time to think about being ready for that in any way we can.
Many of my friends in a normally hot climate were using laundry baskets to shade their plants to keep them from ‘burning out’ in the heat. That might be something we need to figure out …how we can provide more shade and more coverage in ways that are practical and attractive. Some creative planning and thinking will solve these issues. And of course, we will share these ideas and inspire solutions!
As a child, we visited the family connections often at the end of July and early August. That meant seeing animals and crops thriving on my grandfather’s farm in the prairies. I was always amazed that my cousins had to head back to school in August. I felt pretty special having more summertime days while they headed back to class. I didn’t think about them getting out of school in May!
When we visited my grandmother on the east coast we enjoyed visits to the ocean and always fresh vegetables and fruit that seemed to be in abundance at her home. The geographical growing distance made for some contrasts. The east coast folks had lots of fruit trees and an easier climate for the growth of vegetables. The prairie folk contended with hot and dry growing and a lack of shade… and water. I reflect on those times of visiting as impacting my own life as I learned so much about working with what we have and where we live.
Everyone adapted so well even though they had to work hard to feed themselves and their families. It seemed to me I sensed enjoyment of life and satisfaction in what was clearly hard work. But the ‘harvest’ was so appreciated…That ‘golden harvest’ was celebrated each year as crops were brought in, fruits and vegetables preserved for the future and a strong sense of satisfaction in the hard work had once again sustained their lives.
The month of August was a time to celebrate…although I noticed my prairie cousins didn’t exactly celebrate returning to classes! The impression I had then and it lingers… August was a time to enjoy the benefits of all the struggles that brought about the rewards.
I think that sense of celebration has continued in my life and my plans…I find myself slowing down a little in this final month of full summer. I stop to enjoy watching the birds splashing in the puddles after a much longed for rain. Or I admire the ever present blooms of ‘black-eyed susan’s that grace almost every inch of space where they grow. Or marvel at the second bloom on the roses. And I especially enjoy seeing the vegetables thriving and beginning to grow in abundance.
I think this has been the best year for cucumbers…I hear from everyone how many they have and willingly share. And look out all you lovers of zucchini …this is the year these type A vegetables will shine! Indeed, this month will be a celebratory month for so many things…Thinking back to last August when the uncertainty of the Covid virus had disrupted so many lives…this year there have been opportunities to be together and to celebrate longed for and much wanted visits.
I hope everyone has had the lovely opportunity to make up for lost moments with family and friends. Those special times together and the joy they bring give us the ‘soul energy’ we need to keep going! And so my growing friends near and far…may we also enjoy these ‘golden’ days when the blooms and harvest bring us work but also immense satisfaction in what we have been able to achieve….and there is still time to enjoy more summer bliss! Keep growing green my friends, Ruth Vold Markle
You can contact Ruth at ruthmarkle@gmail.com with questions or comments
