The temperature here in VA, (NC too) has been ridiculously hot. Unlike the title of this post I have not been out in the garden. The weeds are taking over and it is really bothering me. In the front perennial garden there are a couple of weeds that are 4′ high. I’m dying to pull them out, too hot! In the wildflower garden, which I call “the gift that keeps on giving,” lots of spent blooms that need to be cut down plus more weeds. Those are the ones that I see daily. The other beds are just as bad, but out of sight, I try to keep out of mind.

What I have been doing while taking Ellie out is pulling as many weeds as I can. I have filled up the weed bucket at least five times with just 10 to fifteen minutes of work each time. I am cutting back spent blooms on the butterfly bush, (so more will come). Speaking of the butterfly bush, it has been very busy. with pollinators this year. I have seen the hummingbird, monarchs and lots of skippers. The hummingbird moth, two of them, are daily visitors. I see all of this action out of my kitchen window. I can’t get out there fast enough to take pictures but if I’m out there, like the picture below, I’m lucky enough to get the picture.