A couple of week's ago I notice that the Swainson's Thrush no longer were singing their melodious, melancholy song in the twilight, I noticed the crickets started their chirping which usually unnerves me as I know it signals the downhill slide of summer into autumn. And then the almost unbearable hot weather came and all thought of anything like fall or winter were far, far away. When it cooled off again, I added another blanket to the bed and put on a sweatshirt in the mornings. And then with an almost imperceptible blink it changed, that leaf that yellows and falls, the slight droopiness of the plants turning the corner from vigorous to heading for fall look, and then the great thing that happens; a marked rise in energy. This is the ability to do things that a week ago seemed to take too much thinking and work to even want to attempt, now can get done in an hour or so. I noticed in our weekly meeting everyone was coming up with great and very useful and creative ideas, and was willing to implement them. I love autumn and the new energy it brings, and acknowledge the sadness that comes when we realize that the summer we wait for was circling around into the natural rhythm of our world. Jewish New Year is in September and it seems so appropriate to me to have a new beginning when you have the energy to match it.
When is a good time to plant? This is a common question that I am asked by customers and random people at cookouts and dinner parties. Many people think that you only plant in fall or spring. In my experience this isn't the case. I have planted in July and August and the plants have grown and done well. If you plant in summer the key is to water the root ball once every three days to the point of saturation. I usually turn the hose on very low and lay it at the base of the plant and let it run for about an hour. This allows for a deep watering that will sustain the plant through the warm summer days. With a little fastidiousness you can plant when you are inspired and not by the seasons.
For those of you who only shop nurseries in the spring, you are short-changing yourself. It is really ideal to visit nurseries several times throughout the year. If you make an annual pilgrimage in spring, you are only seeing the things that bloom or look their best at that time. If you don't shop nurseries in, say March, you might miss the beautiful blooms of Pieris. The same goes if you don't shop nurseries in June, July or August. Miss this summer window and you miss the color offered by Cistus, Crocosmia, daylilies and Rudbekia. And the list goes on.
Another thought - visiting a nursery like ours (Pleasant Hill Nursery) or any other commercial grower-type nursery in late spring may seem
PHN Growers Blog 
