You never know what you will find in a country garden on a very early Saturday morning. While tomorrow will be my true work day out at the Homeward Bound Memorial Garden, I made a quick trip this morning to check on things after a several very hot days, with June 1st temperatures reaching 100 degrees.
I was greeted by a snake in Maria’s Bed Garden,
buzzed by a plane flying low over the sprouting rice fields next door,
welcomed by the smiling face of the sunflowers, now blooming,
and to my delight and amazement, I found happy garden beds looking perky and no worse for wear, despite the recent heat. On the contrary – the Salvia that has struggled for the past month went from sad to sensational. Well, almost sensational. Give it one more month!
Best of all, I found our pallet of stone, delivered. Next project: a stone patio under the plum tree where rescued Golden Retrievers and their human dog walkers can take a shady break while enjoying the gardens.
Time to get to work!
Gardens For Goldens 
I have some salvia in my yard. Am I supposed to cut off the dead flowers or leave them? Your garden looks fantastic!
Hi Mandy,
Yes – clip the dead Salvia flower spikes to encourage more blooms. Thanks for the nice note. I’m jealous of your blueberries!
Maria here! I’m hoping the snake has found a new home by the time I come out and work in my bed garden. The sunflowers look gorgeous.
He’s harmless…but fast. A good reminder to watch where we step out there!