In 2005, it was a May N'oreaster, attributed to warming ocean temperatures, threw the weather off balance.  In 2006, it was a deluge that flooded central NH for days.

  

In August 2007, we saw two fawns with their mother--a first sighting of fawns for us. They grazed for almost half an hour before moving on. Now we know who is browsing in our perennial bed at night. They love the tender buds in our perennial bed-- cosmos, hollyhock, sedum, and campanula. This fall will move some perennials inside the garden. The cosmos and campanula can stand a little pruning!

Smith Family Farmin Gilford, NH, is our source for PYO strawberries and raspberries and fresh-picked vegetables, when we are in the area.  The owner was grumbling about early tomato disfiguration.  Even the pros are caught off balance.

We can still harvest spring-planted kale.  It's the healthiest , most bug-resistant of all greens.

The best collard harvest came from a couple rejects tossed into the kitchen compost!  Tomatoes and peppers are playing catch up. 

Pumpkins are often hard to find at local farmers markets and easy to grow if you have the space. Note to myself: Don't plant sugar and field pumpkins next to each other--I can't tell one from the other.  According to a local farmer, pie pumpkins are not necessarily sweeter, but have fewer seeds. 

Annuals in bloom:  Bright Lights cosmos, ageratum,lobelia, red salvia,  and . . .





Morning glory and cardinal climber vines are peaking and make for a glorious display if planted together. In 2007, cardinal climber has not bloomed yet.






The ever fragrant white lily, 'Casa Blanca,' failed in Garden 2007, either succumbing to meadow voles or rot. This lily is so spectacular, I will try again.

Perennials in bloom:  Echinacea (red coneflower), Russian sage, globe thistle, hyssop, 'Moonbeam' coreopsis, and veronica.Naturalized Rudbekia (Black-eyed Susans) are still blooming.  Wild phlox appears in the meadow with some naturalized Echinacea. 

August is usually the driest month in central NH. That means, if no rain in 48 hours, water. That takes almost a full day for our garden and ornamental beds.

Seedlings for fall greens can be set out in our makeshift, dual-purpose greenhouse/solar dryer.  The photo below was taken in years past, when tomatoes were being dried.

Weather and Pest Log