Wild Bergamot

This week I am studying Wild Bergamot.

I have it growing in the backyard near one of the patios.

I love the smell.

It blooms from the middle of June until the first of August.

Bees and butterflies love it too.

It has been very dry so the Bergamot is finishing up early this summer. I have dried some for winter teas.

Catching the female Hummingbird nectaring was fun.

At every stage the Bergamot is a delight.

We counted 20 different insects on the plants.

I have tried growing Red Bergamot, Monarda, but it has never taken.

I shall try again.
I think I will go to the nursery this week and see if they have plants.

It is Monday....

It is Day out of Time for those who follow the Mayan calender.

Our break from the heat was short lived.

I am trying to find joy in the heat.
When I am out with the Wild Bergamot
I forget to be hot.

Fennel

A Tiger Swallowtail in the Tiger Lilies.

I stopped and watched.

My husband dug beets for our supper.

I will stir fry them along with other vegetables.

I choose Fennel as our herb for this week.

I grow the bronze variety.

I brought out my herbals.

This week we will have Fennel in our salads and Fennel seeds for snacking.

I shall dig Fennel bulbs to cook with garden potatoes.

My yoga practice has influenced my kitchen time.

I am wanting my food fresh and delicious.

I am honoring herbs.

Each week I shall focus on a different herb.
I started a  new journal, "Herb of the week."

I easily grow 52 different herbs.

I am very fond of the Umbel Family.
I grow many different ones.

I am thinking of adding a few more
to the Umbel garden.

Hot Summer Days

These are Dragonfly Days.

Hot and humid days.

I am keeping an eye on the caterpillar.
Watching him grow in the heat.

The bees are happy in the heat.

We found fresh figs at the market today.
They are truly the food of the gods.

Our backyard figs are ripening but it will be September
before we pick.

California figs are just now ripening.
I hope we make fig jelly again this August.

Our beets are delicious.
We have dug a couple for stir fries.

I shall be harvesting herbs this week.
My hour of gardening is first thing in the morning.

Lemon Balm will be great this winter in my teas.

Our red cabbage did very well.
This is our first year growing cabbages.

I want to dry some of the Wild Bergamot.
The bees and skippers love it.
The Silver Spot is in the blooms all day long.

I had a few olives with my figs this afternoon.

I sat at the dining room table and watched the butterflies.
We are to have a few more sizzlers
before thunderstorms come in.

Blue Birds for the Fourth

Seeing the Blue Birds was a gift.

The lettuces have bolted.

I shall let them set seed.

The red cabbage is ready to pick.

I posted the flag this morning

before I fed the birds and the chipmunk.

I have a few old flags on display in July.

The twilight lingers

for the Freedom Crescent Moon.