So far this has been the yuckiest summer I have experienced in years. Hot and humid is one thing, that is to be expected because it is summer. But this rain? Holy crap! Enough for a week. Please! I am so glad I bought a water tank so I can keep everything watered throughout the summer. At least I know it works, I guess, and we have the system tuned I think. We haven’t needed it for a month now. At least we aren’t in fire danger, and I don’t have mold ruining my leather shoes and belts like when I was living on the mountain in Australia.
So what is new besides the rain? Well, the flowers in the tunnel have had about enough. Because of the high temps that we have been having, besides the rain which hasn’t been bothering them because they are under cover, the flowers have said, “You know what? This season is the pits, and we are done.” So, say good bye to the Icelandic poppies, the godetia and the clarkia till next year. The cosmos, zinnias are hanging on, the sweet peas are like outta here, and who knows, the sun could come out on Tuesday and we may not see another drop of rain until October. I would almost say wouldn’t that be great.
My other most exciting news of the week is this. Not!
You know what this is? Bear poop! Yup. found this “dainty” (8 inches in diameter) morsel on the path between the flowers inside the fencing and the roses. Now I know that bears don’t eat flowers, that is up to Bambi, who so far is disliking the Irish Spring soap, but honestly, I don’t want bears this close to the house and the farm animals. Hopefully, it was a juvenile just wandering through. That is why the donkeys have been so testy, I am sure. And you thought flower farming was just easy by putting plants in the soil and letting them go until they are harvested. HAH!
I read this on a flower site the other day. July. This month is American Grown Flowers Month. This is the month that all 50 states have flowers to sell, and the perfect excuse to buy flowers from a local flower grower and not from the supermarket. I know that I am preaching to the wrong crowd, right? But locally grown flowers are fresher than any flower than you can buy in a supermarket. Think about it…The flowers that you find in the big stores are harvested on a Monday morning, prepped, conditioned with floral preservatives, then sit in an airport, then fly to an airport then sit in a wholesalers before they get to you. Five days? Yes, they have a shelf life, but handle with care, don’t smell them, and I wouldn’t even compost them because of what is used to preserve them. Locally grown flowers? fresher, supporting a local farmer, yes you can smell and handle them with out fear and safely compost them. So, even if you love to buy flowers at the supermarket because they are cheaper, and last longer because of the chemicals…please buy local for the rest of the moth of July. doesn’t have to be from me, although I do appreciate it. Just buy Local flowers. Please.
So on to my next topic. I leave you with two flower photos. My annual 4th of July photo, and my #Windowframethursday photo. I hope they make you smile. They make me happy because I get to play with flowers in a creative manner.
The 4th is all red white and blue, and windowframe is what I had. I love the creative process and I hope you do as well.
Until next week, when hopefully the sun will shine upon the flower beds. Allie