Garden Days, Dog Antics, and the War on Weeds: A Glimpse Into June at Home

June 6, 2025

Here We Are — Later Than Planned, But Deep in the Season

Here we are, so much later than I imagined I would be writing another blog post. But so much life has been happening out of doors since the last one. My earlier posts talked about herb gardens, perennial dreams, and all the hopeful beginnings of the growing season. Today, I return to those themes with newly excited vigor, a full camera roll, and a few muddy footprints at my feet.

First and Foremost: Axel

My sweet baby Axel remains the heart of the household and a complete conundrum when it comes to outdoor living. I know he loves to join us. I see it in the way he perks up when I ask, “Want to go stretch your legs with me?” That eager trot behind me says it all.

But once we are outside, it becomes a beautifully chaotic dance. He insists on going back into the house to gather all — and I do mean all — of his toys, one by one. He claims the chairs we want to sit in, flops into the grass to rub his face into it with utter joy, then quickly decides he is too hot and heads for the shade.

Frisbee is a full production. He asks to play, then refuses to hand it over, turning it around and around in his mouth until it feels just right. And still, we cater to him. He is part of the rhythm of our days out here.

I actually heard myself say to him the other day, “Now sit down and relax; you are a dog!”

Harvests and Happy Surprises

Memorial Weekend brought an unexpected abundance of oregano. A small patch, about two by three feet, was ready to harvest all at once. With so much available so quickly, I decided to dehydrate the whole batch. It filled an entire two quart jar, which felt like a huge win. I am still using a jar from last summer, so this one will go a long way.

The rest of the herbs are coming along in their own time. Basil, parsley, rosemary, and thyme each have their own little story. My basil plants might have gotten a touch of frost damage early on — I had to prune quite a bit of browning leaves. The curly parsley looks fantastic. The flat leaf, not so much. It has stayed yellow and wilty no matter what I do. I did not grow anything from seed this year because honestly, I was too impatient.

The rosemary and thyme are looking really healthy. Before planting, I sprinkled organic worm castings over the beds. I have no idea if it helped, but it felt hopeful. One night before dinner, I walked outside and picked a handful of herbs to chop with leeks and olive oil for a marinade for chicken. I kept it simple — garlic, olive oil, a splash of apple cider and white vinegar, and lots of fresh herbs. The smell was unbelievable. So fresh, so alive.

One of the best surprises this year has been a mulberry tree that we had to cut down during a major septic tank project. It decided to grow back on its own. Our apple trees are still young and looking strong. We will have to remove the apples again this year to protect those tender new branches, but they are off to a great start.

What really surprised me, though, was the appearance of wild blackberries in a tucked away part of the yard. We did not plant them. They simply showed up, tall and leafy and ready to stay. I have no idea how that happens, but it feels like a gift we did not expect.

Weeds Are Strangling Me and My Garden

My spirit is strong, but my body feels weak. Creeping Charlie has become the bane of my existence. Right now, I have a large sheet of tarp covering an area I want to develop, but that’s just a small fraction of what needs to be done.

My husband has been a lifesaver, continuing to rototill the areas I haven’t gotten to yet, helping me keep my sanity. We recently acquired some beautiful flat lannon stones from our neighbor. We’re using them to extend a path through the secret garden, creating a full circular stroll that leads you back to the beginning.

The dame’s rocket surrounds our home, especially in our neighbor’s wilder areas, and it’s quietly trying to make a comeback. I have pulled some, and I’ve left some. I feel okay with this because I can control it—for now, at least.

We’re even considering planting a huge area of clover to cover the ground and keep weeds at bay. We try so many things.

Our best plan so far has been industrial strength vinegar. We put on gloves and pour it into a spray bottle, then methodically spray it on the weeds we want to kill before pulling them out. My goodness, it works.

That said, I feel like I need a disclaimer. It’s really dangerous stuff. We have to check the wind direction carefully, spray just inches above the weeds, and stand back to make sure we’re not breathing it in. But so far, it’s been our strongest weapon in this endless battle.

And honestly, it feels so much better to use this kind of natural solution than pesticides. Knowing I’m tackling the weeds without harsh chemicals gives me a little extra peace of mind in the garden.

A fancy new bird feeder

I bought my husband a camera bird feeder for Christmas, and true to form, he responded by designing and building a custom pole and mounting brackets by hand. The man is talented.

Once we got it all set up, we discovered that the app to access the feeder camera would cost fifty dollars a year—ouch. But I will admit, it has been absolutely fascinating to see who’s stopping by the yard, and how often. The images are crystal clear and sent straight to his phone. So far we’ve seen: House Finch, Downy Woodpecker, House Sparrow, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, White-breasted Nuthatch, Blue Jay, Blue Grosbeak, Northern Cardinal, Brown-headed Cowbird, American Goldfinch, California Towhee, and Rock Dove.

The app even alerts you when a bird arrives, and you can watch it live from your phone. If you are a bird lover, this opens up a whole new way to connect with what’s happening right outside your window.

Animals, Animals

The struggle with animals has been real, people. Bunnies have been feasting on my milkweed and early plants like it’s their personal buffet. Woodchucks have been munching on my perennials — and sometimes even the weeds!

To my horror, my husband put up a small fenced-in area, about three by six feet, around our wildflower patch in the Secret Garden. I love that the plants are safe now, but wow, what an eyesore. It’s not exactly the vision I had for a wild forest-edged garden.

Alongside the garden, my husband also took the lead on creating a pollinator garden filled with lavender, lupine, anise hyssop, monarda, butterfly milkweed, and a few new plants. We carefully bring some of these tender plants into the fenced area too, because the heartbreak is so real when they get eaten.

On a happier note, our food garden is finally fully planted. Tomato plants and green beans are in the ground, and I’m really looking forward to fresh beans straight from the garden.

All of that said, I love our gardens. I love the wildness of them. And despite the weeds and animal antics, there’s a lot of progress to celebrate. I even find myself fantasizing about a gardener—or at least a weeder—to help keep things looking their best!

Summer Reading List

Lately, my reading has been full of botany books—mostly historical fiction, and almost entirely seasonal. There’s something so grounding about reading in tune with what’s growing and blooming around me.

Right now, I’m enjoying Forgotten Skills of Cooking by Darina Allen of Ballymaloe Cookery School. It’s part cookbook, part story, part gentle nudge to return to the old ways. What a joy and a delight to soak up these kinds of books in the heart of summer.

What are you reading this summer?

Woods Wandering

I’ve been continuing to return to the woods whenever the weather, time, and this aging body allow. Each visit brings something new. I’ve come across some of my old favorite plants and also discovered a few new specimens growing locally. This is such a deep passion of mine.

I heartily encourage you to stop and carefully survey the world around you. There is so much happening out there in the woods—quiet, hidden magic just waiting to be noticed.