This is a season of change for all of us. Seasons do not change all at once. It shows itself through small shifts in light, moisture, plant growth, and even within our household rhythm. Northern Hemisphere Late summer is beginning to lean toward autumn. Mature plants may be shading one another, paths may be harder to reach, and heat stress may be showing in leaves, fruit, and soil. Some areas may be dry while others receive sudden heavy rain. This is a useful time to notice - Where water is disappearing too quickly - Where growth has become crowded - Which plants are still producing well - Where access, harvesting, or watering has become difficult - What should be prepared for autumn planting, composting, or cleanup Southern Hemisphere Late winter is beginning to lean toward spring. Low sunlight, wet ground, drainage problems, sheltered areas, and dormant plants may be easier to see before new growth fills the landscape. This is a useful time to notice - Where spring sunlight will reach - Which areas remain wet or cold - What needs pruning, repairing, or clearing - Which seeds, beds, compost materials, and tools should be prepared - What household tasks can be completed before spring becomes busy Seasonal preparation does not mean doing everything at once. Choose one place where the changing season is revealing something useful. Observe what is happening now, then decide what may need attention next. What change are you noticing where you live, and what is it helping you prepare for?

Common Tea Pairings for Lemon Thyme Lemon thyme naturally blends well with lighter, brighter herbs and herbs that support: - Gentle digestion - Calm clarity - Mild respiratory support - Spring and summer teas - Daily-use blends Gentle Respiratory Pairings - Lemon BalmOne of the smoothest and most harmonious pairings - SpearmintFresh and cooling without overpowering - CalendulaGentle lymphatic and soothing support - Marshmallow RootBalances dryness while supporting the throat Calm and Uplifting Pairings - LavenderBright floral-citrus combination - Oat StrawGrounding mineral support with gentle flavor - TulsiAdaptogenic uplift with aromatic brightness Digestive and Summer Tea Pairings - LemongrassStrong citrus harmony - HibiscusRefreshing summer tea profile - Rose PetalSoftens and rounds citrus notes - Green TeaCreates a bright energizing blend

We are in many different areas... what are you doing in the garden? What are your high and low temps currently? A few of my volunteer tomatoes started turning a bit lime green so looking at nitrogen or too much water or humidity in the tunnel... I started by checking ground moisture levels where 2 beds were on the dry side and one bed on the wet side. Thinking nitrogen could be the issue up front, I added fish hydrolysate and liquid hemp to the rain barrel and set the pump to come on for an hour 3 times today letting it soak in a bit between as I turn a compost pile I am working on. I also hung a mesh bag of worm casting in the barrel with a small air pump keeping it oxygenated. Temps in the low 70'sF (21C) this week with night temps around 40F (5C). Plan to pull the poly probably later part of the week. I need to cover the pump and controls for the rain barrel system. Weather moderate although I know overnight, nature will turn the heat up; just a matter of time. Spinach went to seed and sugar snaps peas doing the same. Still have a little lettuce growing under the tomatoes; pruning back the daikon radishes for airflow; adding them to the compost pile.

Before adding more plants, cover the soil. Use sheet-style layering on top of the soil: - compost - leaf litter - hardwood mulch No digging needed. This begins to: - hold moisture - soften rainfall impact - feed soil life - reduce stress in the system This one step changes a lot. Have you added mulch or compost on top of your beds this season?