thank you, June

Last day of June, today. What a month it has been indeed. June is always an intensely abundant time in the garden. The harvest is well underway, the transplants keep coming, and the weeds show no mercy.

On the solstice, Jakoby and I saw a squadron of pelicans flying overhead! After some research, we found out they are white pelicans. First time for both of us! They had such a presence in the sky. Soaring high, riding the air currents.

A few days later, I was laying on the beach, giving thanks to my ancestors and everything that has led me to this moment. When I opened my eyes, a pelican was flying by. The pelican can symbolize self-sacrifice, parental love and teamwork – which is a great way to describe ancestral love and family heritage. Each generation doing their part, to make things a little easier for generations to come. Allowing us to take time for ourselves and to pursue meaning.

If our ancestors could see where we are now… what would they say?

party on wayne

party on garth

We grew three different varieties of peas this season and one of them – Purple Mist – has been a fun learning experience. For starters, they have beautiful flowers!

In one week, the flowers have turned into pods, formed peas, and are ready to be picked for shelling. Neither Jakoby nor I can recall a time when the peas produced so quickly. This large output/production resembles the determinant tomatoes – where it all comes in at once.  Interesting.

The flowers are purple, the pods are purple, and the seed we planted was purple – yet the fresh shelled peas are green. Last night, Jakoby added some of the shelled peas to dinner and we were surprised to see that they had turned purple once cooked! We will keep experimenting and report back. Got us some magical peas o'er here!

Summer is a transitional time in the garden. Time moves slower in summer, the heat makes certain crops come to a halt, while others thrive. We planted cucumbers on fabric this season and they have been enjoying the radiant heat. Tomatoes are coming along nicely – hoping to eat my first cherry tomato soon! We grew a nice variety this year – focusing on our favourites, with a few new trials. It’s all about the experience.

I created a flower patch at the back of the garden. Lots of zinnias and yarrow. Some snapdragons too + some new friends – gomphrena, bonduelli, didiscus, and a fun variety of amaranth called Green Tails.  Lots of options for fresh or dried. What’s growing in your garden right now? Do you have plans to seed a fall or winter crop?

Kale is on my radar for fall and winter. I had great success with kale this spring and would love to see another hearty patch this autumn. Broccoli, specifically sprouting broccoli, is something I’d like to try in the greenhouse this winter. All the other usuals like spinach and tatsoi, arugula, watercress…

Is it strange to be planning fall and winter crops, when summer has just begun? Yes and no. Tbh, I don’t plan many things. I love feeling the moment and deciding in that space. Planning far ahead can feel overwhelming, like I’m trying to grasp air in my hands. Each day brings so much, things are always changing. If I can, I like to let the day unfold and call upon the happenings. This can potentially be frustrating for those in my life who like to plan. What do you think about it?

One year, we had a storm take out our hoop house – bend the whole thing up, uprooted our trellised crops, left a big ol’ mess. We had spent the preceding days carefully planting it out, being mindful of where things were going, making sure things were trellised properly, etc. It was one of our best plantings ever. We still talk about that planting haha, it was memorable. The next day, everything was taken out by the storm. It was wild. The cucumbers were literally hanging from their necks, uprooted like some morbid horror scene. We learned a lot that day.

Planning has its benefits. Planning goals is a great way to make traction and feel your progress in motion. Planning can also take the edge off certain tasks, especially large tasks. Chipping away at things, planning and making decisions – these are all great tools and skills to have today.

Part of me is mysterious and enjoys life’s mystery. I don’t want to know everything that is going to happen. Ultimately, what I am doing right now is my life, and IS what’s happening. And that feels pretty good. In the words of Janis Joplin “Tomorrow never happens. It’s all the same ******* day, man.”

Did I plan this blog post?

No

Did I have a vision for where I wanted it to go?

Nope

I got a hunch, felt a bunch & put it in writing

There is no way of knowing what the future holds. The future is an imagined place. Daydreaming of the future is creative, but don’t forget to live right now. We can create anything we believe to be possible... and the world has a way of bringing us way more than we ever knew to be possible. A way of showing us our intrinsic worth.

Heed the omens of good fortune. We are here to recognize and realize our god given birthright to self-actualize.

Love you guys, thanks for reading!

Here’s a link to my latest book

:::

PS. some other highlights from the month: an epic strawberry harvest, a giant snapping turtle trampling through the farm, losing one sandal (potentially to the foxes!!), making mulberry jam with the nephews, harvesting rose petals for tea, and meeting some new friends. blessed, indeed.