More Thoughts While Weeding: Bright and Brassy Bee Balm/ A beacon in the summer landscape

As July slides into August, the growing season is moving into high gear. Several hours a day are designated for picking raspberries, and another for keeping up with the weeds. The garlic is ready for pulling, and the forecast for the final days of the month—hot and sunny with occasional afternoon thunderstorms—will present the opportunity to get the crop field-dried and into the barn for curing.

In the meantime, the harvest is gearing up as well. Beans, broccoli and summer squash are in ample supply, along with new potatoes and the first peppers and cucumbers. Cherry tomatoes are ripening, though even early varieties like Glacier and Celebrity are languishing green on the vine without a sign of pink.