Seeds for the second crop of fall vegetables were planted. They were kohlrabi, lettuce, radishes and spinach.

Rabbits, Squirrels, a neighborhood Calico Cat, a wide variety of birds and Sophie (the dog) all have been enjoying the tranquility of the backyard. One afternoon I stepped out on the deck, it was a very exceptionally hot afternoon, and saw the assemblage of animals. Several squirrels were feeding on discarded seeds beneath the bird feeders, two juvenile rabbits (who this Spring were named Butch and Beverly), a neighbor’s Calico Cat lying on the cool wet ground between the large hostas watching the activity and Sophie approaching the scene with bewilderment for her backyard had been overrun with her arch enemies, the visiting marauders. Sophie was overwhelmed with a dilema: ‘who should I run after first’?

Sophie has been acquainted with Butch and Beverly for a long time, since they have taken up residence in the Elemental Sanctuary since birth.

From mid June throughout the month of July, we needed to support the rain fall with frequent watering. The weather was mostly windy, hot and dry. My attention was drawn to a routine of watering vegetables in the containers and the raised beds every two days and watering the flower pots of herbs and annuals every day. The perennial flower beds had the benefits of the sprinkler and were soaked every forth day.

Now a month after building the pea trellis, the peas are nearing the top and quick thick.

Here are the cherries I picked:

And some cherries left on the tree:

Setting my alarm to awaken 6am Sunday morning would get me up for picking the first cherries of this season.

On my way out of the house, I noticed a formidable crow sitting on the bird bath water, with a bright red cherry in it’s mouth. This confirmed my suspicion of our sharing the cherry harvest with the robins, cardinals, squirrels, and crows as we have in previous years.

I picked 3 quarts of cherries with many more green and light pink fruit yet to be ripened.

The strawberry plants that were planted 1st week of May offered enough large, red, sun-ripened berries for my breakfast cereal.

Today the harvest included herbs, sweet kohlrabi, and green onions for potato salad for a cookout tonight.

Taking a cue from the bean plants and melon plants, this week I will need to construct two more Wigwam trellises.