Summer Lull

The garden is filling in and the pots are starting to look like show pieces.  With all the heat and dry weather, it has taken quite a bit of sprinkling to get to this point.  I am thankful for a husband who likes to take the time to move the hose around the yard during the day while I'm at work.  The plants are getting their moisture but have time to dry their leaves before bed time.  All gardeners should have a night shift worker for their watering.
I have hit the bottom of the barrel.  I have been reserving my rain barrel water for dipping my water cans in for my potted plants.  There is a bit more in there, but I have to move the can around to scoop it out now.  They say we have a "chance" of rain Saturday night.  We are not holding our breath.  Dark clouds moved over last Saturday with not a drop for our plants.  90's are predicted temps for the weekend once again.  It is almost 4 weeks since we had rain.
Some of my annuals are coming to the end of their bloom.  I will talk more about my reseeding annuals as the seed pods set and I can get some pictures for those interested in what to look for in their own gardens.  The larkspur in the picture above has green pods at this time.
I was thrilled to catch a gold finch perched on top of my "wild" sunflowers tonight.  They don't frequent my feeder but are stunning with the yellow of the sunflower and their arched bodies reaching for the seeds below their feet.  The thistles are also starting to bloom and seed now.  It is a good source for finch food, but they sure are not welcome in the lawn or garden.  Soon the finches will be gathering the down of the thistle to line their nests.  I still remember the early morning bird walks during my college summer school.  Dr. Hardin pointed out the finches up and down flight patterns as they dip and rise with the beat and glide of their wings.  I identify the finches in flight from this characteristic today.
No tomatoes yet, the fruit is setting.  I have enjoyed a couple of small zucchinis.  The chipmunks started eating the ends so they had to get picked earlier than planned.  Moving the strawberry planters into my new vertical tower has meant more strawberries for me the last couple days.  The chipmunks had too easy of access in the last locations.  They are also close to the hose, so the plants look less droopy than they have.
Time to move the hose...again.