A quick view of the garden in summer.
The Garden
Everyone has a different vision of a “garden” – some think of flowers, others fruits or vegetables, and some even think only in terms of landscaping. Here you will see a bit of all the above!
Branches from a dead tree, chopped into sections, arranged and covered with soil. 
Herbs and Flowers 
Pathway and herb garden 
Pineapples!
SEASONS
Florida isn’t like other places – we have a hot, muggy season; a wet, windy season, better know as Hurricane Season; and finally, a warm, sunny – many days, if not nights – THIS is why I live in Florida – season!
Not only do the seasons differ from those in other parts of the country, timetables for planting, harvesting and staying out of the garden all together are on a completely different cycle.
More to come….
WINTER
Winter is Florida brings relief from the heat and humidity, EVENTUALLY! Telltale signs are a few bright leaves hidden in tree branches, thermometers that fluctuate 20+ degrees from day to night, and suddenly an abundance of new visitors to my refuge.
Cooler weather also means it is finally time to work outside, plant a winter garden, and execute the design changes you chaffed about doing while the summer heat and rain kept you indoors. Another pleasure is to watch nature preparing for the coming spring!
Hugelkulture
Here are some thoughts about a revision to my raised bed, now in the final stages of becoming a Hugelkulture garden!
I accomplished this by digging out the center of the raised bed and filling it with lengths of the trunk and branches from a dying Redbud tree. Once the branches begin to decompose, they become a prime underpinning for an organic garden, but that will take some time, so in the meantime, I am packing the timbers down and filling the spaces with mulch so the process begins faster and holes don’t develop once I have covered the wood with good garden soil.
You could speed up the process by using Biochar as a kick-start. That would mean partially burning the wood and then covering it with earth, creating charred wood, which releases its nutrients faster, when mixed with organic soil and compost.
Summer Visitor
It’s been quite a while since I updated my blog – lots of things have happened in and around my little retreat. One of the more exciting events is that earlier this month a visitor came by for a look at our bird feeder. I assume he’s a runaway from a shooting range, but regardless, we are enjoying seeing him almost daily stop by for a visit.
Serenity
Serenity Tinged with Anticipation
“Project Feeder Watch” Season Opens In November…
What do YOU do to find peace and calm?
You don’t have to control your thoughts. You just have to stop letting them control you.”Dan Millman
SUMMER
Florida summers are to be endured, unless of course you have access to a pool, and it’s safe and quite enough for a mid-afternoon bath!
If you are lucky, you may also have summer fruit, with almost NO labor!
