This will be a very quick tour of the garden this month but I wanted to get in an update.
It’s interesting to see how the pollinator garden has changed over the past couple of years, plants have come and gone. Our winter rain was so sporadic and rare this year that many annuals did not return. I think the seedlings dried up before they could get a start. The perennials however, have flourished. This fall I will try reseeding, fingers crossed that we get more rain.

Pollinator Garden July 2020
In the vegetable garden the peas have just about finished, I will be pulling them out this month to plant winter vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and kale.
The bush beans have lots of flowers but no beans yet.

bush beans
There are a couple of kale plants at the end of the bean bed, rescued from the discard pile at the Botanical Gardens. They were looking very wilted and sick but have recovered and flourished.

Kale
We’ve been eating a lot of zucchini from the garden. I pick them when they are fairly small and enjoy them grilled.

Grilled Zucchini from the Fort Bragg garden
The lavender plants are full of bees.

Lavender
The dahlias are starting to bloom.

First dahlias
I am trying to limit my watering and I’m afraid the garden is going to look the worst for it this summer. Wells are going dry all over the area. So far we are okay but it’s a worry.
Most of my time in the garden this month has been taken up by trying to keep track of our new puppy, Shanna.

Shanna
She’s into everything (although learning to stay out of the raised beds and the flower garden), and everything goes into her mouth. And, anything can become a favorite toy.

Shanna vs an old mop – Casey and Quinn look on aghast…What is she doing?
And then we had our favorite corgis for the weekend. It was a wild time but everyone got along. Generous amounts of treats kept everyone (mostly) in line. That’s the lone male, Milo, walking away.

Aussies and Corgis
So, that’s where and how most of my time has been spent this month. It’s the reason this post is so late.
I can’t believe it is almost August.
Be well everyone, stay cool and safe. Get vaccinated.