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Thoughts as summer begins in WNC
by Michael Rich

Latest Update: June 22, 2009


Potatoes picked Sunday afternoon and eaten on Sunday evening
As of 5:47 AM on Sunday morning (June 21) we officially began the summer season. There was not much doubt after spending most of the day outside on Saturday. The heat and humidity of the summer is definitely here.

A look in the garden tells me that summer is here. Plants that looked dormant just a few weeks ago have sprung into full jungle mode. Nothing like a zucchini spreading itself all over the garden bed. Nothing like a pumpkin vine growing a foot per day. Nothing like tomatoes setting fruit by the dozens. Yep, that is what summer looks like.

The table is beginning to taste like summer. We have had the cole and salad crops of spring for a couple of months now. The first potatoes of the season have been eaten, onions and garlic are plentiful. Pretty soon there will be more squash than we will know what to do with. Then the blessed season of the fresh tomato. All of spring's labor is beginning to pay off bountifully.

We have received over twice as much rain in the past couple of months this year than the same time last year. The drought is officially over in my county. That doesn't mean that we can't slip back into dry conditions as the sun heats up the mountains--but things look great at the moment.

I hope your garden is productive and that your summer is enjoyable.

You can read more about Michael Rich's gardening habit at Blue Ridge Gardener


The first squash that will be eaten this season


Garlic was plentiful in the garden


Tomatoes are on their way