Early September garden report 2023

Pear tree produce!

What a summer it has been. Edmonton has felt like its own little oasis. We have been really, really fortunate to have good rain for our gardens when many places around us have not. Climate change is impacting everyone on the planet in one way or another, and for us, it has meant some days where you don't want to step outside because the air quality is running off the scale in terms of unbreathable -- due to wildfires, of course. 

Just this week, someone from Texas borrowed A Prayer for Rain yet again. I guess In the northern part of the state they're having wildfires too, but we probably haven't heard about it because we're pretty focused on those closer to home, the many climate refugees who have come to us from Yellowknife, and the latest hurricane season. My heart goes out to everyone affected by climate issues, and to all who are feeling climate grief, as I am.

But what has been happening in our yard is a beautiful distraction from the challenges our planet is facing elsewhere, and I am counting my blessings! Here is my garden report for late August/early September:

 

The garden has outdone itself, and our pear tree even managed to produce some fruit. Last year's hard pruning helped, though there is still evidence of fire blight on a few branches that we will take out this weekend.

The garden reminds me that everything is gift, and that we have to appreciate what we have while we have it. So I'm not taking this wonderful produce for granted. I suspect I'll have to give a lot away, but that's a blessing, too, to be able to share with others!

If you're in my neck of the woods and would like some tomatoes or pears, just say the word!

June garden report in July

Unruly rhubarb

I intended to post this 6 minute garden tour on June 30th, but ended up doing all sorts of other outdoor things instead of sitting at my computer... for the last several days, even in the rain. This time of year, housework, cooking, and computer anything are the last of my priorities when there's so much to do in the garden -- and so much life outside! Plus I have some catching up to do now that the air boot from my broken foot is standing alone in the corner of my room! Moving gently...

Things have really grown since a month ago, when I was showing my readers raised bed boxes that had just been planted. Now you can tell what's what. The corn seems to be growing about an inch a day, and the squash, beans and many other things aren't far behind. If you're in the neighbourhood and feel like wandering through a garden, I'm happy to give tours, though next month there'll actually be veggies to eat as we go. For now, just a few Saskatoon berries, strawberries and raspberries... yum!

Oh, and anyone want some rhubarb?

Garden goings-on

Hardworking family on May 22nd

For the record, my family is really wonderful. After I broke the bone in my foot on May 10th, they came to help me put in my garden 12 days later. 

I sat in a chair with my boot up, giving instructions and marking boxes with a checkmark when they were planted. I loved watching my dad and Lee plant the tomatoes, Mom and Jeanine working on carrots and snow peas, Lynnell poking the fava beans into the earth exactly as I would have done, and Suzanna whipping the herb bed into shape.

It probably would have taken me until today to do what they did in two hours. My "air boot" isn't exactly easy to maneuver in certain places in our yard, and it was a lot worse with crutches (I got permission to ditch them on May 26th). The challenge now is to not overdo weeding efforts and give my foot enough rest and healing time.

We've been having good heat, and lately, some wonderful rain, and things are popping out of the ground at an amazing rate. This video I took yesterday doesn't show nearly as much growth as if I had made it today, but it's raining, and I'm sitting with my achy foot up, happy to watch the moisture come down.

So this is my May 31st, 2023 garden report, one day later. Slightly wonky as I limp around in my boot! Thanks to my parents, sisters, and live-in family members for planting it all. Thanks be to God for the rain, and the green and growing things!

P.S. Momma sparrow's babies are in the birdhouse, not the greenhouse!