the Austin Garden: August activities 🌿 New Leaf CSA 🌿 birdcage planters 🌿 sound-map garden

GARDEN NOTES: after last year's snowpocalypse, and our current Saharan summer, it's understandable if some gardeners feel like throwing down the fork/spade/watering-can or whatever they're holding, and walking away from it all. Like our plants, optimism fades when faced with such extraordinary temps. and for some of us, this is a time for simply doing the bare minimum in the garden, sheltering in place, but remaining hopeful that cooler climes will one day return. ❦

NEW LEAF FARMS CSA: for just $32 per week (for 12 weeks), you can get fresh organic produce from this amazing refugee-run farm, with drop-off points all over the city. The subscriptions last from Sept. 26 - Dec 18. This Elgin farm is run by the Multicultural Refugee Coalition, with farmers from all around the world. New Leaf ❦

________________________________________________

SOUND-MAP YOUR GARDEN: with eyes closed and ears open in your garden, a whole new realm of experience could unfold, leading you to a deeper connection to natural world, writes Bridget Shirvell. It can just be a meditation, or it can be physical sound-map that you draw with your children. Modern Farmer ❦

HOW TO MAKE A BIRDCAGE PLANTER: from the Empress of Dirt comes this creative and fun idea. After getting a birdcage from a thrift store or estate sale, you'll just need a burlap liner, some potting mix, and then add some beautiful plants. the Empress ❦

________________________________________________

PANZANELLA: in these high-temp days, it's a great time for salads. Love & Lemons offers this uplifting Tuscan combo of juicy tomatoes, cucumbers and crusty bread. 'A shower of basil takes it over the top.' Love & Lemons ❦

THE AUSTIN GARDEN relies entirely on support from its readers. Please consider making a donation today. ; - )

Many thanks! PayPal link ❦

__________________________________________________

CENTRAL TEXAS GARDENER: on tour, step into the wonderful west Austin McClurg garden, artfully created by Jackson Broussard (JPB Design Studio). In the studio a chat with drought garden expert Flora Grubb from San Francisco. (from the archives) CTG ❦.

   August Activities for Gardeners 
                              by Chris Winslow 
 
1. Mulch & water - especially important to sustain your garden through this lengthy heatwave. Your vegetable garden, landscape, flower beds and trees need help. Mulch, mulch, mulch... and water deeply. Remember potted plants need extra special care.
 
2. Lawn care: Your grass also needs deep, infrequent watering and - if at all - keep the cutting height for your lawnmower as high as possible. This will help shade the roots and conserve water. City guidelines for watering: even numbered houses - Thursday and Sunday; odd numbered houses, Wednesday and Saturday. 
 
3. Vegetables: This is the month to start sweet corn, okra, snap
beans, cream peas and black-eyed peas from seed. Because the first frost (on average Nov. 27) is likely to occur within 120 days, use transplants for your peppers and tomatoes. During the second half of this month, plant your broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts.
 
4. Survive. While it is nice of you to nurse your plants through this month, it is perhaps even more important that you look after yourself. Remember:  A. Garden early in the morning. B. Wear effective sunscreen and a large brimmed hat. C. Drink gallons of water.
 
 Helping Birds in the Heat of the Summer
 
1. Water  Set up a birdbath in your garden. Keep it topped up
every day, and clean once a week. Keep the area nearby clear, so that predatory cats have nowhere to hide. 

									2. Food  Because of the drought, our natural seed crop is very poor. Buy good quality seeds in bulk from feed stores to save money.
 
3. Hummingbirds  Mix 4 parts water to 1 part sugar and place in a feeder, and enjoy the magic of the visiting hummers. Make sure your feeder is red (their favorite color), and you can tie a red ribbon nearby to help them find their way.
 
4. Brush piles While out in the yard, create little brush piles here and there out of twigs and branches. This will protect the birds so they can feed on the ground, and if a cat appears or a hawk swoops down, they’ll have something to retreat into. 

5  Native landscapes  Our native birds grew up with native berries, and they are the best form of nourishment.  Keep this in mind when shopping for plants.  Sunflowers, salvias, yaupon holly, possumhaw holly, agarita, coral berry, American beautyberry and Turks caps  are all good choices. (More details at www.travisaudubon.org) ❦