August 2022 in the Garden

In June when I wrote to my Joy Letter subscribers I said that June was my favorite month. Right now, though, I’m thinking August might be.

There are no cucumbers or tomatoes in June.

Lately, I’ve been eating both every day.

Cucumbers flourished in my garden in Cleveland, but this is the first year they’ve done well for me here in Wisconsin.

The white cucumber above is Silver Slicer. These little green ones are Picolino.

Both are delicious (and Clara and Fiona think so, too). Most years the cucumber beetles bring diseases and the plants quickly shrivel to nothing. I’ve seen cucumber beetles in the garden this year so I’m not sure if they’re just not as prevalent or if the varieties I’m growing are more resilient. Either way, I’m happy.

entering the garden facing east

Before I sat down to write this, I popped over to my June post. I couldn’t believe how much everything has changed since then. The garden is overflowing its beds.

the opposite end of the garden facing east

Some plants are looking a bit weary. The poppies are finished and the plants I’ve left (for the seeds) are shriveled and brown. Some plants have been ravaged by Japanese beetles.

But overall the garden feels lush.

The dahlias I planted as tubers are just beginning to open.

I think that one is Andy’s Legacy.

I planted a lot of sunflowers this year. The dwarf varieties are about finished now.

Below you can see the taller varieties I’m growing along the fence. I hadn’t realized some would get as tall as they are, well over ten feet.

the back edge of the garden facing North

At this time of year I make note (usually mostly in my head) of what I might want to do differently next year. Usually it involves planting more flowers.

This year I’m thinking about how much I love the coleus I planted in the bed along the fence. I grew them from seed with no particular plan for them and ended up sticking them where ever there was room.

I think of it as a happy accident. Those colors!

The lilies have come and gone, but were lovely while they were here.

Something else I’ve loved this year was raising butterflies. I brought monarch caterpillars inside and fed them with butterfly weed.

I also raised a black swallowtail with parsley.

Caterpillars grow so fast! This week we released the first monarchs.

Two became chrysalises on the same day and then later hatched as butterflies at the same time, too.

Such a delight! I have two more chrysalises waiting, another monarch and a black swallowtail. Each transformation truly seems like magic.

My tree full of peaches feels magical, too. I’m waiting (impatiently) for them to ripen.

Every day I go out and give them a gentle squeeze. They’re still as hard as rocks. (Last time they were ripe at the very beginning of September).

I’m waiting for my one and only cantaloupe.

The plant doesn’t look great (I think its pot needs more drainage holes), but the melon keeps growing (it’s Minnesota Midget).

The mix of plants in my garden brings me so much joy. Flowers and herbs. Fruits and vegetables. Color everywhere.

We get to August and I start to feel the shift of seasons. I remember how ephemeral my garden is. It grew and changed and filled in so quickly. I’m trying to savor every last moment before it disappears again. That it will, and soon, makes it so much sweeter, I think.

What’s been happening in your garden this August?