Last Friday Faves of August: Garden Edition

 August has been a long, hot, and humid month here in Middle Tennessee. Everything in the garden, including this gardener, is looking a little tired and weary this late in the summer. Still, I’ve found peaceful and pretty moments in my August garden to share with you today. 

Last Friday Faves of August: Garden Edition 

Tomatoes and Peppers:

Our tomato and pepper plants are still giving us slow and steady harvests, which I appreciate. We’re able to eat and share these tasty beauties without waste. Since I can food, like most of the women in my family before me, I’m okay with our small container garden.

I do feel a twinge of guilt for not “putting up” crops for the fall and winter months. I’ll ponder canning and crops when it’s cold outside. If you can, let me know in the comments, please. 

Flower Containers:

Every May, I receive flowers for my containers, which excites me to no end, because I love container gardening.  This year, I received several white Angelonia or Snapdragons, for height in my pots, and they have thrived through most of the summer! They need a good deadheading and cut back now, but I will definitely add them to my spring-to-summer containers again. 

Hanging Boston Fern:

I also receive three hanging Boston Ferns each May from my husband as part of my birthday or Mother’s Day gifts. And I love that these ferns stay happy, growing, and green all spring and summer long! I’ve had some do well until the first frost in late October, and I think this year’s trio will hang in there until then as well.

Speaking of ferns, I splurged and bought a Kimberly Queen Fern for my front porch this year and it did not thrive! It’s still alive, but seems misrable, no matter where I put it. If you’ve had success with them, please share tips!

Golden Summer Sunset:

Since it’s been so hot and sticky, I do my final garden walk at dusk. I enjoy watching the landscape and wildlife seem to breathe a sigh of relief that the sun is finally setting and the temperatures will drop. And if I'm lucky, I’ll have my phone with me to capture one of the glorious golden summer sunset like this one. If I’m doubly blessed, I’ll capture some lovely blue hour photos too. I’ll try to share some of those photos in another Friday Fave post. 

Coneflowers:

Echinacea or Coneflowers is the Tennessee state flower,so it’s really no surprise they are still showing up in less than stellar conditions. I love this variety I have with their pretty pink petals and maroon. I’ve been captivated by all the different Coneflowers other gardeners are growing over on Instagram. Now I want to add yellow and orange varieties to my garden as well. If you’re gardening and on Instagram, stop by @ismilefirst and say hi! 

Herb Garden:

Lastly, I got a new container for my herb garden and placed it on the front porch, where it’s been happy for the most part. My Basil, Rosemary, Sage and Italian Oregano are doing well. However, something ate my Thyme in this container. And sadly, spider mites got my Lavender in another pot, so lesson learned on those two herbs.

I’ll watch them more closely next year. As I use the fresh herbs, I also cut extra to dry in small batches to keep on hand. It's one of my favorite days in the kitchen because it smells so good. 

Goodbye August, Hello September:

All in all, I’m happy with my late summer garden. When we get ready to greet the BER months, I’m starting some cold weather crop seeds,including carrots and lettuce this weekend. 

Tell me in comments: How has your summer garden fared? Are you looking forward to the next garden season or are you done for the year?