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The Lazy Gardener's Guide to August
Sometimes just watering deeply 2-3x a week is good enough.
It’s that time of year where the excitement of spring planting wanes and our new plants are established. The heat and humidity take their toll leaving you feeling tired, which makes it hard to want to go spend time outside. It happens every year, and it’s important to find ways to keep nurturing your green thumb and passion for plants. Here’s my simple guide to get the most out of the dog days of Summer.
Be a visitor in your own garden
August is a great month to slow down and notice what is happening in your garden. Are you seeing butterflies, birds, and bees? Notice what is going well or what could be better. The key to good gardening is perception. This skill tells a gardener when to water or where to prune. It is a skill that needs practice, and now is a great time to get those practice hours in.
Take the path of least resistance
If you are presented with two options this month, do me a favor and do the easy one. Will you build a new patio or walk the flagstone path with a cocktail in hand? Pick the latter. The garden is a place of respite and not just labor.
Host a garden party
Make some fresh lemon bars and iced tea from your herb garden. I’m a personal fan of both Lemon Verbena and Tulsi for iced tea. Show off all your hard work and remember that gardens are better with friends. Don’t forget to invite yours truly.
Visit a bucket list garden
This is a great time to visit a new garden and find inspiration for your fall projects. There are even some powerhouses in the Midwest, which are worthy contenders for your bucket list. The Lurie Garden in Chicago (Designed by Piet Oudolf who also did NYC’s High Line), the Anderson Japanese Gardens, and Olbrich Gardens in Madison.
Plan your Fall project
This one sounds a bit less lazy than the title implies, but now is a good time to dream. I’d love it if you reply to this email with what new joy you’d like to bring to your space this Fall. Let’s chat about your ideas!
This Weekend in the Midwest Garden
Direct Sow Fall Veggies
→ Now’s the time to sow arugula, lettuce, spinach, and radishes for a fall harvest.Harvest Herbs for Drying
→ Snip mint, thyme, or anise hyssop before they flower fully and hang to dry indoors.Visit the Corpse Flower in Olbrich Botanic Gardens
→ If you live in Madison, Wisconsin, then keep an eye on Olbrich Botanic Garden’s Instagram and website for tickets as their Corpse Flower is blooming today. I went to see it last night and it was spectacular.
Plot Notes
I started my lazy month early and did not accomplish much last week. My friend Yufan is sending some water lily plants to fill a shallow bowl I obtained to try growing them. Expect more updates as I get that setup this month. This species is Nymphaea ‘Izia’, which derives it’s name from the female deities associated with water and trees. This could also be a description of my dear readers.
Other than waiting by the mailbox, I am clocking out this weekend and going to a lakeside cabin in Northern Wisconsin. I’ll be bringing Nature’s Best Hope, by Douglas Tallamy. It will be the third book I’ve read of his, which is easy because his writing always inspires action on my part to protect wildlife.
Photo credit: Yufan Zhou
What I Loved This Week
Read: Bringing Nature Home, by Douglas Tallamy - His other books inspired me to use native plants and helped inform my eye for design. Read along with me!
Watch: Corpse Flower Time-lapse, In case you cannot make it to Olbrich today.
Listen: Dreams, by Fleetwood Mac - This and a session in the hammock can cure depression.
Connect: Dayna Discovers Madison, Follow for good tips on Madison and real estate! She is so good at her job and helped me get my house in Madison, so recommend her to anyone buying or selling a house.
Reader Feature:
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Written for 27 beautiful readers. 💌
Until next Thursday,
Ken Welch
Ken Welch is a horticulturist and research professional at UW–Madison. He’s drawn to native ecosystems, community gardens, and helping others grow confidence in their craft.
There was a short time when my native plants were Californian, but don’t worry, your author is Midwest born and raised.
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