[Late Sunday] Greetings!

Whew! Feeling a bit like the late rabbit in Alice in Wonderland! 😜

We’ve been running to catch up all weekend after little sleep the past two nights. We’ve had a series of thunderstorms which always send our canine companion, the little Maltese, Caspian, into panic attacks. 

We know thunder jackets have helped some, but it hasn’t worked for Caspian. Nothing has gotten rid of it, but the two things that have helped the most so far are Clary Sage with lavender, or just lavender essential oil applied externally. 

We start with the essential oils. If the storm — and subsequently his shaking like a jackhammer — gets worse or doesn’t subside, we give him some CBD oil for pets administered internally with an eye dropper. 

It works well for some people too… relaxes Coleman, but did the opposite for LeAura, so everyone’s different.

Meanwhile, we’re grateful for the rains that followed the plantings, and awakening to the fragrance of FRESH washed earth and petrichor. 

We hope you and yours are faring well and weathering all storms in health and strength. 

FEATURE ARTICLE

GardensAll community member, Shannon Schofield, is a beekeeper and writer. Shannon wrote this article for us on bees and pollinator flowers for bees. It’s interesting and informative with lots of shareable images.

DAISY CHRYSANTHEMUMS

Her daisy chrysanthemums (pictured above) are gorgeous too. Shannon said she’s had them for 15 years and they’re prolific and easy growing. (Adding that to our wish list)! 😉

PURPLE TREE COLLARDS

At home, a trio of Purple Tree Collard transplants arrived and were promptly planted in a newly refurbished raised garden bed. (Here are some raised bed ideas here). These are all a part of our efforts to plant more perennial vegetables.

These tree collards came for Oikos Tree Crops with a claim of being a more hardy stock than the standard type. We’ve had great success with Oikos products in the past and expect good results with these “hardier” Purple Tree Collards. 

Well folks… it’s storming again here but we’re hoping for a better night’s sleep… and wishing the same for you.

We planted more ramps and also asparagus. More on that next week. If you’re growing it, we’d love to hear your tips and see any photos, including whether you’re growing asparagus as an edible hedge, or foodscape landscaping area.

From our hearts to yours,

Coleman and LeAura Alderson

GardensAll.com