A Grin and Bear It Growing Season

 Spring 2013 was wet and rather turbulent in NW Pennsylvania. The wildflowers, however, haven't seemed to mind the soupy conditions. With the summer solstice on June 21, weather conditions haven't changed much locally. It is like everyone is in a Grin and Bear It attitude.
However, for home vegetable gardeners and commercial farms, the wet weather has created some setbacks. Some corn was not able to be planted because of the wet conditions and some farmers did switch to soy beans and other crops. In some cases, the corn fields were washed away. Very few corn fields were even knee high by the Fourth of July.
Hay, another important crop, has been growing nicely, however, it has been a chore to try and get it off the fields.
Grin and Bear IT time.
Some strawberry fields were simply just lost due to the cool, wet weather.
At home, gardeners without raised beds, are literally sinking up to their knees in mud. There is a developing problem locally with black leaf spot blight in many regions because of the wet conditions. Mulch, such as cedar or grass clippings from lawn mowing helps to control this blight, but be sure to destroy any blighted leaves. There are also copper based sprays which can be used. These sprays need to be re-applied every time it rains.
There is one bright spot in the home garden: Scaps

Like clockwork, the last week of June or so, the scapes begin to develop on the flower stock of fall planted hardneck garlic. By the end of July or thereabouts, the underground garlic bulbs will be ready to harvest.
Scapes are very tasty and are a powerhouse for health.
The odd and twisting scapes are a sign that the underground bulb is nearing maturity. Grow your own and learn more about the benefits of scaps,click Eat Healthy.

Bees

It is no secret that the honeybees, both domesticated and feral colonies, are having a tough go lately. There are mites, a mysterious disease dubbed CCD and pesticide sprays.
Nor is it any secret that the bees are essential to agriculture. Scientists claim the bees are responsible that nearly one third of the food we consume.
The bees are also essential for wildlife. The insects help to pollinated many wild nuts, wild apples and other fruits used as food by native wildlife.
Earlier this spring, at least in the NW PA regions, there was a growing concern about the lack of honeybee swarms. A swarm is a natural division of a honey bee hive. Kirk Johnson, the president of the Northwestern BeeKeepers Association was worried and concerned around Memorial Day.
However, the bees started swarming, according to Johnson, and by July 4 he had answered the normal amount of swarm calls and captured his normal amount of swarming bees.
But the recent heavy rains, according to Johnson, have washed much of the pollen and nectar needed by the bees out of many flowers.
Here's a few steps that can be taken to help these important insects, HoneyBees.

Borage is a good herb to help the bees and the vegetable/flower garden:

Get in on the buzz about borage in more detail, Good Herb.

Boneset

Another valuable herb, Boneset will soon start to bloom. Once used widely before aspirin were available, it is generally used as a medicinal herb. As always, before using a home remedy, check the facts and a medical professional.The herb works wonders for me. For more information, Boneset.

Additional links to what is happening in NW PA:

 Fish Cribs

Bats in Trouble

Well, it's raining again here, Grin and Bear It,  but the water lilies seem to enjoy it.

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