Midsummer Check in

This summer has been rather hazy, due to the Canadian wildflowers. The forest has filtered a lot of the smoke, but ever so often I get a whiff of what smells like campfire. Views over Lake Michigan are gray with no horizon line.

The tomatoes and peppers are doing well. I need to keep on top of watering and fertilizing the tomatoes since I am growing them in pots. Herbs are a mixed bag. I made first batch of basil pesto for homemade pasta. I need to plant more basil next year. The dill and chamomile are not doing well. They need more sun and less water.

The shade garden by the front door is doing well. I’ve been good about putting down deer repellant so the hosta are growing nicely. I’m a little behind on weeding. The garden bordering the driveway is not doing well. I planted many native plant plugs last fall and very few survived the winter. In Spring, I will replace these plants with plants grown at local nurseries. Not the most economical choice, but it will give the plants a better chance and I should have blooms sooner. I will also top-dress the gardens with horse manure this fall. I think that will make a huge difference.

The gardens off the back are doing okay. I need to add more plants that flower May-July. The shady native plant garden needs another year. I planted many bare root plants last fall and the Hairy Wood Mint, the Columbine, and the violets bloomed. I shall see what comes up next year.

A porcupine started eating the corners of the shed and a worktable this summer. A trapper set up traps but the porcupine has vanished. Having a trapper on call is a new cost for living in a forest.

We have two doe with their fawns visiting the property. The fairly wet summer, or our dog, has kept the deer in the forest, saving my gardens from unwanted nibbling. I have also been better at using deer repellent. That has allowed my gardens to fill in better than last year.

Turkey pass though and the calls of coyote echo through the surrounding hills. We also hear the screech of hawks overhead and the calls of Barred Owls at night. The hummingbirds have raised a few broods along with the red breasted grosbeak.

All-in-all a quiet summer. I’m getting to know my gardens and the surrounding forest. I am working to create the right balance where plants I introduce to the landscape can flourish with little interference from me.