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July Now 'tis the time when, tall,
The long blue torches of the bellflower gleam
Among the trees; and, by the wooded stream,
In many a fragrant ball,
Blooms of the button-bush fall. Let us go forth and seek
Woods where the wild plums redden and the beech
Plumps its packed burs; and, swelling, just in reach,
The pawpaw, emerald sleek,
Ripens along the creek. Now 'tis the time when ways
Of glimmering green flaunt white the misty plumes
Of the black-cohosh; and through bramble glooms,
A blur of orange rays,
The butterfly-blossoms blaze. Let us go forth and hear
The spiral music that the locusts beat,
And that small spray of sound, so grassy sweet,
Dear to a country ear,
The cricket's summer cheer. Now golden celandine
Is hairy hung with silvery sacks of seeds,
And bugled o'er with freckled gold, like beads,
Beneath the fox-grape vine,
The jewel-weed's blossoms shine. Excerpted from the poem "July" by Madison Cawein |
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While everyone is busy in their gardens and enjoying the beautiful weather, LTPL Grows will be taking a program break in July while our awesome Summer Reading Programs take
center stage! All ages can participate!From June 1 through August 15, track the minutes you spend reading, attend virtual library events, complete fun Challenge Missions (like reading out loud to a pet or exploring one of our online resources), and earn prizes! Signup is free so beat the summer slide, keep your brain active, and participate as much as you can throughout the summer to win prizes! |
Basics of Seed SavingMonday August 18 @ 6:30 pmAs we get closer to autumn, it is time to learn when your seeds are ready to harvest and when to harvest them. We will cover which seeds are ready when you eat the crops, which have to dry on the vine, and which have to cure for a period beyond harvest before the seeds are ready to extract. Various techniques and tools for processing your seeds will be discussed as well as methods for storage. |
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LTPL Grows Seed Swap!Monday, September 22 @ 6:00 pm Gather your seeds and join us for the First Annual LTPL Seed Swap! Michigan author and seed-saver Bevin Cohen will be here to share seed-saving wisdom and stories. Bring your seeds to trade or share and get to know your local gardening neighbors! Table space will be available on a first come, first serve basis and space is limited. If you don't have enough seeds to require table space, you are welcome to attend as a "roving swapper." |
It's July! In July it is time to think about seeds to start indoors (where it is cooler) that can be planted in the garden in August. These include cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower. The seed library has seeds for radishes, greens (spinach, chard, kale, mustard) Our seed starting handout outlining what seeds to start when is available at the seed library. The LTPL Seed Library is open for business all year long with seasonally appropriate seeds added on an ongoing basis. The mission of the seed library is to promote gardening and encourage sustainability through seed saving. The seeds are available at no cost to you. Although it is not required, we hope that you will attempt to save seeds from your crops and return them to the seed library to help keep it self-sustaining. To use the seed library, simply make your selections and log your initials and number of packets taken on the clipboard. The clipboard and instructions are on top of the Seed Library cabinet.
Gardening handouts are available at the Seed Library and also on the LTPL Grows Webpage, along with informative videos! |
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In July: - Continue to succession-plant fast-growing crops that will produce before frost. This includes carrots, beets, rutabaga, kohlrabi, chard, bush snap beans, summer squash and cucumbers.
- Remove spent crops, clean the area, and add compost to rejuvenate the soil for the next crop. Plant a cover crop if you are done gardening in that spot for this year.
- Start seeds indoors for cool-weather fall crops, including broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower.
- Iris flowering has finished, and July is the time to divide and transplant iris rhizomes. Replant just below the soil surface. Share extras with your friends!
- Check frequently for weeds that will be taking resources from your garden plants. Pull them when young and compost them to return those resources to the soil.
- Monitor for insect and animal damage. Plastic owls might prove helpful in deterring groundhogs, squirrels, and rabbits. Be sure to move them about the garden so the animals don't catch on.
- Information and online resources for starting and saving seed can be found on the LTPL Website.
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Learn how to create your own homestead projects from coops and sheds to aquaponics to wind and solar power. |
Lavender for All Seasons
by Paola Legarre
An essential guide to selecting lavender varieties, growing healthy plants, harvesting and preserving lavender to use all year round. This book is full of guides for crafting and recipes for cooking with lavender. |
Compost: Transform Waste into New Life by Charles Dowding
The "Master of Healthy Soil" gives us this concise primer on making compost. There are ideas for what can be composted, how to build a compost bin, and the science behind all of it.
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Michigan Gardener Magazine no longer publishes a print magazine. You can still visit the Michigan Gardener website for occasional new articles and the calendar, and browse through digital back issues of the print magazine and newsletters. |
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Find more information on LTPL Grows and other resources! |
Visit and "like" for gardening news, tips and upcoming events. |
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