july 2025 in the garden.

Somehow the garden has endured through the month of July and can actually be described as lush come this first day of August. We have lived through the typical high temperatures of a Midwest summer, but have had regular rainfall too. What is a barren landscape in winter is now an explosion of foliage, blooms and fruit. Although Jesse and I set the yard up to be this way we are continually astonished at the rewards of beauty and produce come the heighth of summer. For a few days it looks like we'll enjoy a short reprieve of the heat and humidity with morning temperatures in the 60's. 

As I gazed this morning across the expanse of growth, I am no fool to think we created this. Sure, our hands set up the structure, placed the seeds, but to think that the result is what we have done is definitely pride. The rhymes and reasons and seasons of living, dying, mutiplying are the wisdom of God, the Creator. Gardening can be addicting, but I think that's because what can result from it is far beyond what the gardenener actually contributes herself. How can we not plant these seeds in spring when the outcome is almost guaranteed? Not every seed germinates and becomes what was intended, but enough do so that breathtaking refreshment results. The blooms and fruits are designed to bear seed for the next year. Of their own accord the plants would go wild, but the garden beds, trellises, and borders provide structure within which they can thrive and be healthy. 

This concept of structure encouraging freedom for growth I saw firsthand when my children were young. Whenever parameters were provided contentment and creativity actually blossomed because boundaries provided safety and security. This truth still intrigues me and comes to mind often. It doesn't just apply to young children or gardening; but to a person at any age, any artistic endeavor, etc. Creativity needs liberation to grow, but that is liberation from being left to oneself. A plant left to itself without structure and care and pruning, yes would be free to choose where to grow but that wildness would eventually kill it and other plants. The structures "limit" the plants choices, but in doing so encourage life and beauty; they don't diminish it.

We are harvesting so much right now ~ potatoes, tomatoes, green beans, sweet peppers, tomatillos, kale, herbs, ground cherries, cucumbers ~ and are very thankful for it.

roma tomatoes

black-eyed susan

ground cherries

tomatillos

ground cherries

random mushroom growth - signs of how lush it has been! we don't eat these...

butterfly pea vine

cucumbers

cosmos

tulsi - first time growing this herb, makes a lovely tea.

onions

cucumbers

dill

garlic

shallots

lemon boy tomato

fairy roses

nasturtium

green beans

st. swithun english climbing rose - David Austen rose

2025 Harvest thru July { 289 lbs. } 

Beets { 1 lb. }

Blackberries { 1 lb. }

Cucumbers { 14 lbs. }

Currants { 1 lb. }

Garlic { 10 lbs. } 

Green Beans { 8 lbs.} 

Greens { 7 lbs. }

Onions { 34 lbs. }

Potatoes { 123 lbs. }  

Shallots { 30 lbs. } 

Tomatillos { 6 lbs. }

Tomatoes - Roma { 35 lbs. }

Tomatoes - Cherry { 2 lbs. }

Tomatoes - Sandwich { 9 lbs. }

Turnips { 6 lbs. }

Herbs { 2lbs. } :: Basil, Sage, Oregano, Rosemary, Thyme, Tulsi, Dill, Celery