July: Languishing in the dog days.

The "dog days of summer" are here. At one time people believed that when the dog star Sirius is lined up with our sun  their energy was combined to make the hottest time of the year. This usually takes place in July and August. Here, in SW Washington we  in the midst of record heat and a drought. It seems a good time to sit down with a cool glass of lemonade or iced tea and not do one thing.

Here,  at North Bank Urban Farm  we are busy. Not much resting in the shade, at least not for now.  15' x 7' is a huge addition for us.

The new greenhouse is up!!! Much too warm to have plants in there at the moment but I am excited for fall and winter gardening and plant propagating.

Greenhouse assembly

Greenhouse in place

Our first lavender harvest is nearly complete and we have had a first adventure in distillation, creating a rich, floral hydrosol. 

Lavender Harvest

The veggie and fruit garden are growing as we water very carefully and mulch deeply, trying to keep productive during a record dry spell - no rain for a month!

I hope your summer is going well. Please add your comments below and tell us about summer where you live.