Summer

The Summer lull seemed to come early, along with rising temperatures and a lack of any meaningful rain.  August will soon be upon us, and contrary to popular belief, she would bestow a dynamic landscape of possibility and change.  And opportunity is a knocking. Late Summer provides ideal conditions to…

The sun bore down with great intensity, revealing every imperfection, flaw and anomaly.  Like a great spotlight, she brought attention to our issues and exploited our weaknesses. With the scant amount of rain we’ve received thus far, certain problems are becoming apparent, and it’s important we interpret the issues correctly…

Summer marched forth to the cadence of the cicada, stumbling ever so often, as her rhythm slowly became out of sync.  Her easy going nature seemed strained, and her once verdant beauty disheveled and unkempt.  A kind word and a bit of support would again renew her spirit and loveliness. …

Nascent Summer seems to have settled in nicely, replete and contented. Yet her once dewy, fresh face begins to grow sallow and somber under the impossible weight of hot, humid temperatures and lack of meaningful moisture. Her youth, vigor and novelty are starting to wear thin.  July is upon us….

Every flower awaited its turn, like an eager dance partner, as the bees flitted and twirled amongst them. Summer’s arrival finds our gardens and landscapes in full bloom.  It’s no coincidence that Summer’s arrival coincides with National Pollinator Week.  A wonderful time to revisit the importance of pollinators and how…

The Cottonwood’s downy seeds fell like snow.  Drifting and swirling upon the air, some suspended momentarily as they sought the perfect landing place.  Soon, they began to snag and accumulate.  It was magical, slightly alarming, and a complete contrast to the heat wave that was upon us. Contrast, in the…

The sun dappled and danced upon the lawn as it beamed through the lush canopy.  Although temperatures have been mostly mild, the sun is still a major factor in our yards and gardens, even if we don’t always feel her warmth.  In fact, it is the most essential element in…

  And just like that, the landscape exploded – trees, shrubs, perennials.  The pace seemed to hasten as we neared Memorial Day, the gateway to Summer, with warming temperatures and rain.   It wasn’t long before we felt out of step and overwhelmed. Fear not, gardeners, for we do have some…

  The bee floated amongst the flowers, hovering and bouncing between the blooms, landing and lingering upon only the most appealing.  He made several passes, returning to some, while ignoring others.  He seemed discerning in his quest, much like today’s home buyer. Landscaping, or the lack thereof, can help or…

May sidled in, almost undetectable, on the tail end of an April storm. Thus far, she seemed a bit capricious, but hopes are high that she will bridge the gap to Summer with graciousness and generosity. May means planting – annuals, perennials, etc., and planting isn’t just for gardens and…

The landscape lay reeling and depleted, drunk on the sun’s rays and summer heat.  She was beginning to show her age in the harsh light of the August sun, and there was a palpable shift in the air. The winds of change are upon us as our attention begins to…

The frothy, white clouds whipped into stiff peaks by the restless, erratic winds.  Shards of sunlight pierced the spaces in between, glimmering wildly upon the ground.  August would soon arrive, the seasonal lull, but she would bestow a dynamic landscape of opportunity and change in her retreat.  And opportunity is…