Melissa: What does your garden need for Nourishment this season?

Summer is a busy time in the garden. Here are a few tasks to keep your garden at its peak performance. Prune your spring trees and shrubs once they finish blooming, and divide bearded irises and deadhead any flowers that are done. Thin the fruit on your fruit trees. In your vegetable patch, try pruning your tomato plants to open the plant's canopy. Start your cool season crops, and side dress potatoes with nitrogen around mid-July. Don’t forget to harvest your vegetables! 

Plant summer annuals to add color to your borders, which also helps attract beneficial insects. Just don’t plant on the hottest days of the year. You may need to supplement the water to your plants. Consider installing drip irrigation to keep your plants hydrated and water the roots instead of the leaves, which can help you avoid plant diseases.

Pests can be a problem this time of year, so keep an eye on any issues. Check and see if your local extension office offers any information on local pest problems to be aware of and how to treat them. Most importantly, take time to enjoy your garden at its peak! 

Nichole: What does your body need for Nourishment this season? 

Summer is about work, play, and following the rhythm of the day cycle. The sun is out, it’s warm, and the body is excited to feel and be in motion. With more movement and heat comes a greater need for energy and electrolytes you can supplement through the colorful produce of the season. Summer produce is colorful for a reason — they are packed with antioxidants and phytochemicals, both critically important for helping with common bodily ailments. They are also very rich in vitamins and minerals to start building your stores for hibernation season. As with any season, it’s essential to make sure you’re eating local varieties, where possible, that are relevant to your location. Below is a list of summer foods that are great for summer dining. 

Cherries	Raspberries	Tomatoes	Bell Peppers
Strawberries	Radishes	Eggplant	Cantaloupe
Carrots	Apples	Cucumber	Watermelon
Corn	Mangoes	Apricots	Plums
Celery	Kiwis	Blueberries	Zucchini
Avocados	Basil	Beets	Blackberries
Chard	Chickpeas	Chiles	Collard Greens
Corn	Figs	Garlic	Grapes
Green Onion	Huckleberries	Gooseberries	Lettuce
Limes	melons	Nectarines	Potatoes
Okra	Onions	Peaches	Pears
Peas	Rhubarb	Shallots	Beans

https://www.seasonalfoodguide.org/

https://camillestyles.com/food/what-fruits-and-vegetables-are-in-season-in-summer/ 

https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/seasonal-produce-guide 

https://www.thespruceeats.com/summer-fruits-and-vegetables-2217706 

Shae: What does your soul need for Nourishment this season? 202/225

Summer is about living and growing. It's for cultivating stories and nourishment for the rest of the year. It is a time for activity, soaking up sun rays and basking in moonbeams, immersing yourself in deep, cool waters, and deeply breathing in the beauty all around you. Days are longer, light is plentiful, and there is an evident, wonderful, effervescent freedom. Summer is possibility, ripeness, awe, dazzling wonder. It is fun! There is something about the magic of summer nights. There is abundance, pleasure, and joy everywhere. Summer is filled with big, splashes of life meant to be devoured wholly. 

The nourishment our souls need in summer is simply being in the moments of what summer gives us. We must be like the sunflower that follows the sun throughout the day, chasing all that is offered. Drink up, convert the sunlight to energy, give, and just be. 

Journal prompt: What are ways I can celebrate the abundance of summer? Now, do them. Make a summer bucket list, and accomplish at least half of those items. 

We should enjoy this summer, flower by flower, as if it were to be the last one we’ll see. — Andre Gide

Raymond: What does your community need for Nourishment this season?

Since I’ve never had enough space to keep a large outdoor garden, I didn’t know where to start. I knew I wanted to keep it in my backyard, but I didn’t know what I would need to do to the ground to plant there. I simply began digging and set the intention I would research it later. Halfway through, a neighbor walked by and noticed what I was doing. He told me I needed to dig deeper and wider, and that nothing would grow there if I didn’t add fertilizer and new soil to the mix. I asked if he would come to the store with me. On our way there, I told him about my plans. I was excited when he offered to help me with my garden in exchange for helping him with his garden! It feels good to help a neighbor because there is an understanding that you both will share in the benefits of your communal work. We are now talking about asking the local church for a plot of their land to start a community garden. I’m sure we can find some other neighbors interested in learning, planting, and growing along with us!