I’ve had the same feelings and thoughts in California after moving from England—very different! I’m kinda used to it now. I highly recommend shade cloths and a drip watering system for your garden, if you don’t already have them. Also, start early. Here, there’s usually a week in spring when it starts warming up and it’s safe to plant… and if you wait too long, it suddenly gets super hot and the seedlings can literally burn. Planting in fall is also a great idea (the only downside is that you can’t enjoy summer produce, of course).
I am so buying the shade cloths. I am waiting to grow produce because every year is disappointing, so right now I am focusing on a pollinator flower bed. How do you like living in California?
Lily, I love how you write about gardening like it’s both a battle and a love story. That line about being ‘as relentless as an August sun’ stuck with me it feels like the perfect mantra for anyone building something that keeps testing them. The Russian sage sounds like a total queen; I could practically see the pollinators buzzing while reading this. Excited to watch your fall garden take shape. ✨
Yes — August always feels like someone breathing hot air right in my face every time I step outside. But looking at the fruits of your labor, it seems worth enduring the sauna bath. The way you describe fall planting makes it feel like a season of redemption — roots taking hold just as the air finally lets us breathe again.
I didnt know Texas is hot and humid 😆. No wonder I feel if I ever move to the States, I would live in Texas.
I live in Hong Kong at the moment, which is humid subtropical weather. I have a small balcony with a few orchaids and leafy greens. I hope one day I have abeautiful garden to plant some roses, sages and sunflowers!
Oh yes — Texas is HOT! ☀️ It’s definitely not for the faint of heart, but when the heat finally breaks in September, it feels magical and worth it. Your balcony garden sounds so lovely. I hope you get your dream garden one day — roses, sages, and sunflowers sound like the perfect mix.
I’ve had the same feelings and thoughts in California after moving from England—very different! I’m kinda used to it now. I highly recommend shade cloths and a drip watering system for your garden, if you don’t already have them. Also, start early. Here, there’s usually a week in spring when it starts warming up and it’s safe to plant… and if you wait too long, it suddenly gets super hot and the seedlings can literally burn. Planting in fall is also a great idea (the only downside is that you can’t enjoy summer produce, of course).
I am so buying the shade cloths. I am waiting to grow produce because every year is disappointing, so right now I am focusing on a pollinator flower bed. How do you like living in California?
Oh that’s a big question ahah. In terms of gardening / produce, it’s similar to what we get / grow in Italy, so that’s nice :)
Lily, I love how you write about gardening like it’s both a battle and a love story. That line about being ‘as relentless as an August sun’ stuck with me it feels like the perfect mantra for anyone building something that keeps testing them. The Russian sage sounds like a total queen; I could practically see the pollinators buzzing while reading this. Excited to watch your fall garden take shape. ✨
It truely is a battle that I have to prepare myself emotionally for 🤣😅
Every year 😂
Yes — August always feels like someone breathing hot air right in my face every time I step outside. But looking at the fruits of your labor, it seems worth enduring the sauna bath. The way you describe fall planting makes it feel like a season of redemption — roots taking hold just as the air finally lets us breathe again.
Yes, that's is exactly it. I really hope it works out. 😊
I didnt know Texas is hot and humid 😆. No wonder I feel if I ever move to the States, I would live in Texas.
I live in Hong Kong at the moment, which is humid subtropical weather. I have a small balcony with a few orchaids and leafy greens. I hope one day I have abeautiful garden to plant some roses, sages and sunflowers!
Oh yes — Texas is HOT! ☀️ It’s definitely not for the faint of heart, but when the heat finally breaks in September, it feels magical and worth it. Your balcony garden sounds so lovely. I hope you get your dream garden one day — roses, sages, and sunflowers sound like the perfect mix.