What’s Growing on in the Garden: June 2023

As we step into July this week, it’s time to recap what’s been growing on here at the farm again. I am thankful for photographs because they help me remember what we’ve been up to during the growing season’s whirlwind. I always have my camera handy when I’m working, and at times like these, I’m glad that I document everything with photos. So, let’s take a look back at what was happening in the month of June.

Sadly, the ranunculus succumbed to the heat of the summer season. Each year when I start these flowers in January and care for them over several months before they bloom, I wonder whether they are worth the effort. But, when they finally open their fluffy petals, I fall in love again and am reminded why I grew them in the first place. Easily one of my favorite cut flowers we grow, the ranunculus was stunning and abundant this season. And not only have I vowed to continue growing it, but I feel I’ll be adding even more varieties to our growing list.

Their production had dwindled in late June, and aphids were settling in. I allowed the plants to die back so that I could save the corms to replant next season. Then I cleared the bed, lifting, trimming, and keeping the corms and planted sunflowers in their place.

Amongst all the beauty, there were still some challenges. We went several weeks without rain and the drought conditions brought about stress to us and the plants. Watering became a significant concern and time-consuming activity during those weeks. Luckily, some rain has finally fallen recently, and I hope the plants can bounce back.

Wildlife and pest pressure have also been challenging this month. Groundhogs, rabbits, chipmunks, and birds have all been happily feasting on our plants. Overnight, all of our tomato plants were devoured, our roses and peppers were stripped entirely of leaves, our sunflower seedlings were ripped out of the ground, and our blueberry patch has been under assault since the bushes started bearing fruit. To thwart these ravenous critters, we have resorted to extra netting, smelly deterrents, extra fencing, and screaming and yelling when we see them approach our precious crops. But, undeterred, they look at me with cheeks full of berries and juice running down their chins.

Pest pressure also arrived in June as aphids found our yarrow, ranunculus, poppies, and sweet peas. We don’t use harmful chemicals or pesticides here on the farm, choosing more natural methods of pest control that align with our mission to be as environmentally friendly as possible. So, I was thrilled when I found ladybugs coming to the rescue and taking care of some of our aphid issues.

For several days last month, the air quality was so poor in our area due to the smoke from wildfires in Canada that I limited my time working outdoors. When I did have to go out to work, I had to wear a mask. The skies were eerily yellow and filled with smoke. I’d never seen anything like it. Time will tell if the smoke caused damage to any of our plants, but it certainly made working outdoors a challenge. Even with a mask, the thick smoke made our eyes water, our throats sore and gave us a lingering cough for several days. My heart went out to those affected by the fires, and I couldn’t help but be concerned for the wildlife who couldn’t escape the smoke.

But despite the challenges, we also grew much beauty this month. I happily played with flowers and made arrangements and bouquets to spread joy within our community.

Some of our edibles started coming in, and we enjoyed handfuls of delicious snap peas and garlic scapes. I was able to share the scapes with our customers, and I loved seeing several of them try garlic scapes for the first time. Our beans and what tomatoes and peppers are left are growing well, and I look forward to tasting that first home-grown tomato (if I can keep that greedy groundhog at bay).

Finally, my favorite edible we grow, blueberries, have arrived! I have added them to our daily harvest list and am savoring the sweet taste of fresh berries. With their arrival, I started our Berries & Blooms CSA and am excited to share our naturally grown, chemical-free blueberries and flowers with CSA shareholders each week. We also shared weekly flower donations to our area’s nonprofit organizations, which always feels good.

As summer sets in, I look forward to flowers such as sweet peas, zinnias, sunflowers, and cosmos, which are on their way. Our dahlias are also slowly coming in and, hopefully, despite Mother Nature’s delays, will give us abundant blooms towards the fall. The months are flying by; before I know it, I’ll be writing our July recap. Until then, that’s what’s been growing on in our garden; what’s been growing on in yours?