Our horrendously hot & humid weather has chilled out over the past week, allowing trips outside to be comfortable. This week things are supposed to heat up again, but hopefully the humidity will not return.

The most excitement in the garden right now is occurring in the Lot’s two 4’x4′ raised veggie beds. Italian sweet peppers, ace peppers, okra, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, kale, swiss chard, and a whole variety of herbs are making the journey from the backyard to our plates. Mmm. The only veggie we are disappointed in this season are the pole beans. My Other Half hypothesizes the seeds are bad. I personally think the stubborn little plants are being spiteful. We’ll have to agree to disagree.

Anyway, onto the blooms! Above is a patch of black-eyed susans (with Alfred the Hedgehog) that are spending their fourth season on the Lot. Already once I’ve thinned out the patch and given seedlings away to friends. This patch adds a much needed swash of yellow to the main backyard bed. Plus they are a favorite among the birds.

Here are some other garden residents who are currently putting on a show in the garden.

I debated whether or not to include the dahlia since the first blossom on the plant is so chewed up. However, I thought it looked pretty that way with the darker foliage. I’ll more than likely photograph this plant some more and experiment around with it in black & white.

Other plants blooming on the Lot are the butterfly bush, gayfeather, phlox, both coreopsis, nicotiana, coneflower, blanket flower, rose campion, and jupiter’s beard. Both my hostas and bridal veil astilbe bloomed between the July and August Bloom Days.

Thank you to May Dreams Gardens for hosting Bloom Day, enabling crazy gardeners to “Ooo” and “Ahh” over gardens located all over this little planet!