For record keeping, what follows is a running list of monthly garden activity I haven’t mentioned in journal posts:

• Planted pots of basil, both Sweet Thai and Genovese, on the deck since slugs are feasting on basil in herb garden. Important to remember for next year! early July
• Pond’s water lilies provide color all summer. early July

• Hubby transplanted overgrown rock rose and some lithodora from pots to area above the driveway’s rock wall. early July
• Daylilies in bloom at top of Lupine Hill. early July
• Watched as one baby robin hopped away from nest led by parents, but one dud egg was abandoned. Moved amazing nest to the deck. mid July

• Picked and ate our first tomato from the Early Girls. mid July
• Thanks to all our wonderful cherries, this is cherry pie month!! mid July

• Sunflowers are growing well along one edge of veggie garden. Varieties are “Autumn Beauty” from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds & “Ring of Fire” from Territorial Seeds. mid July

• Gladioli  blooming profusely, especially new varieties of fiorentina and espresso. mid July

• First dahlias blooming! mid July

• Conquered chicken destruction (for now) with combo of plastic utensils and black netting. mid July
• Cut back all Pacific Giant delphiniums near end of bloom time due to mildew. mid July
• Made great, huge  platter of Salade Niçoise for lunch when Son visited. Homegrown lettuces, eggs, and beans with homegrown garlic in the dressing (soon potatoes, too) end July

• Both Clematis viticella ‘purpurea plena elegans’ mentioned here as challenged, have gathered steam and bloomed through July. end July