The growing season of summer

There's still work to be done

Spring has blossomed into summer, and everything is growing and maturing quickly in the garden. Annuals such as geraniums and impatiens in our planters and window boxes have taken shape, and are sometimes abandoned. The brilliant multi-colored gladiola bulbs are blooming tall. Perennials such as bright yellow or gold coreopsis, lavender-blue perovskia, hot pink lythrum, purple coneflower, gold brown-eyed Susan, blue stokesia, and red monarda are blooming in unison right now creating a spectacular show in the Philadelphia perennial garden. Ornamental grasses are bearing purple shimmering feathery plumes Plump heavy grapes are hanging on the vine, as well as, tomatoes that are about to turn red. Vegetables are reaching peak maturity; and herbs are rich in fragrance and flavor. The baby rabbits have grown into adults; and the weeds and poison ivy have grown up right along with them. Japanese beetles are feasting in the garden; caterpillar nests are beginning to clog the trees; and while you’re working in the garden, you may notice a bees nest nearby. In the summer night, spiders come out and create some of their best artwork for gardeners to admire in the dewy mornings.

Seasons are a natural timetable that God not only provides for the earth, but in each of our lives, that brings about growth. Psalm 74:17 states, It was you who set all the boumdaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter." Whether it’s spring, the season of new beginnings; summer, the growing season; fall, the season of change; or winter, the season of rest, we must recognize that each season has its purpose and each brings with it a certain responsibility. Just like in the garden, the seasons of life include times of growth, change, rest, and new beginnings, as well as, the years of our youth and our old age, good and bad times, struggles, victories, sadness and heartache, as well as, times of greatness. The common goal of each season on earth, and in life, is to ultimately bring about growth.

The lazy days of summer are the time when the garden does its thing, while many gardeners do theirs—at the beach. Nature can take care of itself in the summer without the gardeners help, for a little while anyway. But remember, while the plants are growing, the garden pests and weeds are growing also. The growing season of summer is not only a time to enjoy the fruits of our labor, but a time for maintenance. So, there is still work to be done. Remember, we can only get out what we put in. The Bible says, "...A man reaps what he sows." (Galatians 6:7)

Frequent observations of plants can pay big dividends in the early detection of problems. You can make better judgments about what’s going on in your garden if you visit it often. The more time you spend observing plants, the better your chances are for controlling any problems that arise. Finding out what’s wrong with plants can require some spy work unless you happen to witness the damage first hand. Try taking a daily stroll through your garden to look for changes in foliage, stems, flowers or fruits. Taking a walk right before sunset or early in the morning can reveal insects that hide during the heat of the day. Slugs also feed at night, so a search with a flashlight after dark can reveal them as well. Be on the constant lookout for animal pests whether they are deer, rabbits, or tiny aphids. If a rabbit finds carrot tops, they will chew them off with knife-like precision within a short period of time. If you are having trouble with animal pests, stop everything else and build some kind of barricade or put up fencing around your plants. If and when you spot a disease on your plants, try to identify it with the help of reference books or personnel at your garden center. When a problem occurs, correctly and promptly identifying the problem is crucial.

Summer gardening chores:

Weed. Always pull weed from the root.
Water if needed. Watering in the morning is best. Watering at night invites mildew in a dark, damp and cool garden.
Cut back spring/early summer perennials that have run their course.
Deadhead annuals and perennials by snipping off the spent bloom in order to promote new flowers.
Take inventory of your garden. Decide what you like, what you don’t like, and the changes you will want to make in the fall.
Consider what plants are thriving and those that need to be moved or divided in the fall due to size, spacing or light requirements.
Take inventory of what is blooming in other people’s gardens and make a wish list of garden plants to purchase for fall planting.

By August, the garden tends to become a tangled mess. While many gardeners think that spring and fall are the times when the garden needs the most attention; mid-summer is another critical time when there’s plenty to do in order to bring new life into your garden to keep it full of color and healthy straight into fall.

The garden is a breathing and living masterpiece, a one-of-a kind extension of the gardener; and anything that is alive needs to be maintained. Maintaining your garden will determine the degree of its success. There is a time to work and a time to rest; too much leisure can be hazardous to our own harvest and also that of others. There is a time to work and a time to rest; too much leisure can be hazardous to our gardens and in our lives. Whatever you're growing, in the garden or in your personal life, maintenance is the key to its success.

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