The summer solstice is approaching…

Summer is upon us and our gardens are bursting with color. This photo shows one of our flower beds that borders our driveway. In the distance, upper left, Mill Creek is still flowing freely and the kayakers are having a blast.

The three smoke bushes are in full bloom and shine in the full sun. They are a precursor to the colorful rose bed, in which yellow Bidens are planted to give the splendor of colors a uniform frame.

The lawn is lined with mature trees, the calming greenery rests the eyes and gives the landscape a sense of peace, a shady place to relax after a warm day.

But all is not well in my gardens. I recently lost one of my favorite perennials, a beautiful Daphne that I had for 20 years. It bloomed profusely from late December to April and then died shortly after due to old age. As gardeners, we all lose some of our plants for various reasons, but then we carry on. Now I have an 8×8 square meter space with all sorts of possibilities.

After my daphne was removed, I was pleasantly surprised at how much space was freed up and actually created a lot more space to my entryway. I liked it a lot better. With that in mind, I next decided to try the “no-till” method. I got free cardboard boxes from our local grocery store and laid them down. I covered them with 3-4 inches of mulch and then 3-4 inches of soil conditioner recommended by Rock Garden Nursery in Proberta. This method is great for two reasons. First, it suppresses any potential weeds underneath because it blocks sunlight and second, it encourages enrichment of your soil. This new soil is rich and dark and makes the area look manicured. I love it.

Remember that losing plants can be devastating, but that’s just the way gardening is. Who knows, maybe like me you’ll be pleasantly surprised and actually enjoy the new change.

Enjoy your gardens. They are part of your summer fun and welcome to the summer solstice.

The Red Bluff Garden Club Inc. is a member of the Cascade District Garden Club, the California Garden Club, Inc, the Pacific Regional Garden Club and the National Garden Club, Inc.