Tuesday was my favorite weather day. It had rained the night before into the early morning, then it was cool and cloudy — perfect for working in the garden.
I like to start this weekly column with weather as a shout-out to my maternal grandmother, Nellie Griffin Armstrong. She wrote long, informative letters (which I still have) describing weather and the goings on in Rew, Pa.
She lived right next door and was the town postmaster. We owned the post office and rented it to the government. She sold penny candy on the side, next to the mailboxes. I hope my own grandchildren remember me as fondly.
In garden world, there is plenty of dead heading necessary. I’m not talking about us aging fans of Jerry Garcia.
The nature and purpose of a flower is to produce the seeds for the next generation. If the dead flowers are not removed, the plant eventually “thinks” it has done its job and will stop production of flowers.
I often remove all the flowers of New Guinea impatiens to the horror of the property owner. But by week’s end, they are fully blooming once again.
There is a remarkable abundance of Queen Anne’s lace all over. A member of the carrot family, it produces a pale, edible root. I ate one once and didn’t die. It was far from wonderful.
Back to deadheading briefly. Both nepeta and spirea will totally bloom two or three times in a season if they get cut back as soon as browning occurs.
Check out the number of seedlings under your Rose of Sharons. One or two can be transplanted for some new shrubs but some aggressive weeding is probably wise.
There is still time to plant from seed: green beans, summer squash and cucumbers. They will be ready to eat in 60 days. We are still hot until October around here.
I do not plant a fall garden until later. Lettuce and spinach tend to bolt in August sun. I have good luck with them, kale and collards planted as late as October.
I found some heinous tomato worms having their way with my tomatoes. There are few things in nature that gross me out more than those pests. I admit to cutting them in half with my Felcos — ugh!
There is a nice stand of blooming Joe-Pye-weed at the storefront of down-Island Cronig’s. I admire the plantings at the parking lot. The store’s owner keeps up with the maintenance.
Forgive me as I digress. One time, approaching State Road from Spring street in Vineyard Haven, at the triangle to go either way onto State Road, I saw a wrecked bicycle with an entire set of clothing laid out perfectly as if someone was wearing them. Next to the scene was a hardback book titled Confessions of an Invisible Man. You cannot make this up.
I am not nearly as good and honorable as Joe Biden. I am loathe to relinquish control of anything. My friend Carla Lee once remarked, “Everything I ever let go has claw marks all over it.”
It’s nice to see the energy Kamala Harris brings to the campaign. Only time will tell!
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