Notes from Havenwood

Gardening at the end of June

Japanese water iris in the bog near the newly remodeled potting shed.

Working in a timely manner, not harder

If in May I was aware of how many things needed doing, then now at the end of June I am thankful

James D. Witmer

and I were able to make them happen early in June so that now we can relax and not overwork in the 95°F (35°C) heat that has taken hold in the past week.

While trying to think of a comparison for garden work at this time of year in Pennsylvania, I have decided I’ll compare it to parenting teenagers. (I have three teens right now, so I am in good practice with this chaotic rhythm.) Most of the time, I am minimally needed. They are able to take care of their laundry, fix themselves a meal, and get their school and work done. But when I am needed, it is usually important, intensive, and immediate.

The June garden is a bit like this. Where the weeds have flourished especially well, they are at epic proportions and need an immediate intervention. But once I have them better restrained by a good weeding and mulching, that border is ok to coast for a bit. When the clematis needs tying in, it needs it now. When the self-sowers need thinning, it should happen in the next couple of weeks before they grow at lightening speed into a complete tangle.

Most of these garden jobs do not take too long (except maybe for the epic Creeping Buttercup weeding session), but they do demand attention and they are best done on their own time schedule. Like parenting teens, one of the biggest things gardening in June at Havenwood requires of me is my careful attention to the flow of the season, and also planning ahead for what I know will inevitably come next.

Rose ‘Bliss Parfume’ in the Cottage Garden this week.

Here are a few of the things that have happened and/or are happening at Havenwood as we finish up the month of June:

Kitchen Garden