Seasonal Gardener ‘Malady’
Every year, I hope to avoid a certain malady that always pops its head up in mid-August.
I was pretty sure I had skipped it this year, but early this week – it hit me.
What is this malady?
“I don’t want to venture out into my garden.”
seasonal malady
Shocking, isn’t it? Now, there is nothing wrong with my garden. In fact, it looks its best this time of year.
My summer-flowering shrubs are absolutely covered in blooms, my trees are growing beautifully and my lawn is thick and green (thanks largely to increased humidity and monsoon rains).
Bougainvillea ‘Barbara Karst’
Arizona Yellow Bells (Tecoma stans stans)
Orange Jubilee
The fact that I haven’t spent much time out in the garden is rather obvious from the photos of my slightly overgrown plants below…
Rio Bravo Sage
Gold Lantana
So, why on earth don’t I want to go out in the garden?
Well, I must admit that I get a little ‘burned out’ on gardening. It has to do with the fact that I get a bit tired of the summer heat and living in the Desert Southwest, means that there is always something to do in the garden 12 months of the year.
Sometimes, I just need a little break. I don’t think this makes me a bad gardener or horticulturist – do you?
So, maybe some of my plants are a bit overgrown and need a little pruning. Well, they can grow for a couple more weeks and I’ll get to it in early September.
Besides, I would rather have a overgrown plant covered in flowers then one that is over-pruned and ugly, wouldn’t you?
I will shake off this seasonal ‘malady’ and be out in the garden, eager to plant seeds for my winter vegetable garden the beginning of September.
**How about you? Do you suffer from the same malady from time to time? Please tell me about it – it will make me feel better 🙂
Showing Love Through…..Pruning?
Noelle Johnson, aka, 'AZ Plant Lady' is a author, horticulturist, and landscape consultant who helps people learn how to create, grow, and maintain beautiful desert gardens that thrive in a hot, dry climate. She does this through her consulting services, her online class Desert Gardening 101, and her monthly membership club, Through the Garden Gate. As she likes to tell desert-dwellers, "Gardening in the desert isn't hard, but it is different."
I totally agree. I forgot to water my potted plants last night and I just hope they can make it through to at least 7, because I am not going out there. Blech!
I think it's a fairly common thing amongst all of us who have gardens where we have year-round blooms. Right now I'm feeling a little of the 'malady' too. Our Spring and Summer are approaching, and that of course signals the end of the glorious winter weather we have here.
I love to be outside, but these triple digit temps are keeping me inside. Going outside right now while somewhat cool at 5:30 a.m. to water plants. Looking forward to having cooler temps down the road a bit and to being a little more industrious.
It is unbelievable that notwithstanding your malady, your plants can still be so lush and beautiful!
It's completely understandable that you need a garden break.
This time of year in your part of the world, where HOT takes on a new meaning…you deserve a break.
Besides…your garden does look pretty good, to me.
I can absolutely relate. "The Malady" hit me earlier than I expected this summer. Now I just look out the window at everything waning and look forward to early September when i can start over! You are certainly not alone. It's a bit rough here this time of year.
You know what? I've heard this from three other gardeners just this past week and they are from different parts of the country. So interesting. Your plants and flowers are lovely. I can't wait to hear about your plans for your cool season garden.
I get it for a day or two during the week days then I am back in the garden with my helpers who work on weekends. I have been putting off cutting the grass for two weeks and now it is very thick and getting tall. I have to check almost everyday for snails (african) or they will take over.
Noelle your garden looks fabulous and I forgot to mention I put off cutting back my plants when they are in bloom.