Many things can be put off. Weeding, for example, can be delayed for weeks without dire consequences, though the longer the delay the greater the likelihood that thousands of seeds will be spread about. The garden demands constant evaluation, when to plant, to weed, or prune for maximum benefit, or often times to minimize troubles.
Ruby Spice clethra flowers sporadically in this dry shaded spot. Certainly, it would prefer moister ground and a bit more sun.
Finally, I can no longer ignore the slow creep of advancing age. The surgeon’s knife dictates a brief interruption (hopefully) to my summer gardening schedule. I am warned that simple tasks, bending to pluck a weed, will be difficult for months. What will become of the garden while I recover? Certainly, that should be the least of my worries. I boast that I will return stronger and more able, but will I, and when?
A Tiger swallowtail feasts on nectar of Joe Pye weed at the edge of the koi pond.
Today, I update photos of the garden in late July, and expect that after a short hiatus I will be back at it, if only to document the garden’s progress through summer into early autumn.
A seedling of Joe Pye weed grows in shallows of the koi pond. As I prepared this photo, one of our resident Northern Brown water snakes splashed below me as it struggled to capture a small fish. Alas, I was too slow to focus, and quickly the snake moved into a dense clump of Pickerel weed in the bog filter area of the pond.Two Bottlebrush buckeyes inhabit the garden. The first was a seedling that appeared in swampy ground at the rear of the garden. This buckeye was planted in the drier front garden.Worcester Gold caryopteris flowers earlier in this garden than other Blue Mist shrubs. There is no obvious difference between Worcester Gold and improved cultivars.Gilt Edge is the earliest of toad lilies to flower in this garden. Most others will begin in late August or into September and continue into October.One of many crocosmias in the garden.While Tardiva hydrangea is not as floriferous as newer panicled hydrangea introductions, it is sturdy and dependable through freeze and summer drought.
Dave….This is easy! Your health is now your only priority. It’s not your top priority, it’s your only priority. Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.
–One of your years-long loyal readers in NoVA
Very best wishes for a very speedy recovery and quick return to your garden and your faithful followers. Mother Nature will help soothe your soul during that recovery period. So take time to heal and return to us renewed and invigorated! We eagerly await that time and, until then, our inboxes will seem incomplete and we will miss your garden musings and life lessons, along with the great photos.
Speedy recovery!
Liz Manugian
I have a brilliant idea! Since you may have a large amount of catch-up work and none of us want to see you rush the recuperation period, perhaps your wife could organize your faithful blog followers, who have for years enjoyed your regular garden musings, into a volunteer ‘weekend’, where you could sit in your chair and direct us to various corners of your garden, for catch-up duties. I feel sure we are all seasoned gardeners, and could get your property back into a condition that will not overwhelm you when you are up and about again …
Thank you for this excellent suggestion, but I hope to work short stints of gardening into my short rehabilitation. Today, I pulled one weed that appeared up through the tall Sun King aralia. No doubt, against advice. While my wife has not given up so far on my minor disregard for sound medical caution, she understands this will be a challenge. I will be taking it slow for a while, but I’m confident I will not get too far behind.
I hope that recovery goes quickly, this is no time to be sitting on the sidelines!
Fortunately you seem to have an excellent attitude through the whole thing. All the best!
Ramblin' through Dave's Garden 
Dave….This is easy! Your health is now your only priority. It’s not your top priority, it’s your only priority. Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.
–One of your years-long loyal readers in NoVA
I will miss your posts but send many good wishes for a successful surgery and speedy recovery.
Very best wishes for a very speedy recovery and quick return to your garden and your faithful followers. Mother Nature will help soothe your soul during that recovery period. So take time to heal and return to us renewed and invigorated! We eagerly await that time and, until then, our inboxes will seem incomplete and we will miss your garden musings and life lessons, along with the great photos.
Speedy recovery!
Liz Manugian
Dave, best wishes for a full and speedy recovery. We will be here when you return and look forward to more!
Take care of yourself and hope your recovery is quick. I look forward to hearing (seeing) more of your garden.
We wil all miss you and look forward to your healthy and speedy recovery. Best of luck!
I appreciate your comments. Already, my wife warns about doing too much, too soon. I think that’s a good sign.
I have a brilliant idea! Since you may have a large amount of catch-up work and none of us want to see you rush the recuperation period, perhaps your wife could organize your faithful blog followers, who have for years enjoyed your regular garden musings, into a volunteer ‘weekend’, where you could sit in your chair and direct us to various corners of your garden, for catch-up duties. I feel sure we are all seasoned gardeners, and could get your property back into a condition that will not overwhelm you when you are up and about again …
Thank you for this excellent suggestion, but I hope to work short stints of gardening into my short rehabilitation. Today, I pulled one weed that appeared up through the tall Sun King aralia. No doubt, against advice. While my wife has not given up so far on my minor disregard for sound medical caution, she understands this will be a challenge. I will be taking it slow for a while, but I’m confident I will not get too far behind.
So glad!
I hope that recovery goes quickly, this is no time to be sitting on the sidelines!
Fortunately you seem to have an excellent attitude through the whole thing. All the best!