Umi Ananda

July 11, 2026

July 8, 2026

Fate arranges herself in a way that orchestrates all that is necessary. Just as the breeze comes and goes and cannot be predicted, the events of time unfold. Cycles, patterns, and traditions recur in ways that give rise to evolution.

July 5, 2026

July 4, 2026

July 2, 2026

July 1, 2026

...and we've landed in the middle of a heat wave. This is when I especially appreciate gardening in Zone 7—hot days followed by nights cool enough to give both the plants and the gardeners a chance to recover.

I've been keeping up with regular watering and have settled into a two- to three-week feeding schedule. The Red Burgundy okra is beyond beautiful and quickly approaching tree status. I can only imagine what this deck will look like by late summer.

I think purslane deserves a post all its own. We've been adding it to just about everything. I've decided I won't be growing summer lettuces anymore when such a prolific, mineral-rich plant grows so willingly. I harvest a few stems, and by the next morning it seems to have bounced right back—as if nothing ever happened.

June 14, 2026

With the warmth of the season comes the freshness of new opportunities; paths that open to you like the sun's emergence after a period of clouds. A simpler time follows that will allow you the space and time to gather what is important to you.

The Mouse and Buttercup speak of gentleness returning to the spirit. There is wisdom now in remaining open, curious, and willing to move with changing circumstances rather than against them. Like the small field mouse weaving quietly through tall summer grasses, you may find yourself discovering hidden joys and unexpected pathways simply by allowing yourself to explore without force or rigid expectation.

June 8, 2026

June 8, 2026

June 7, 2026

I've entered that phase where I'm tired of staring at the remaining plants occupying the deck table and front step. The last grow bags and landscape spaces are calling, and all that's left are the zinnias and cosmos, an extra okra, three Malabar spinach plants, and a few marigolds.

I spent the afternoon outdoors today, mostly getting the marigolds and vinca settled into the front beds. We're expecting thunderstorms tonight, which should make for a good watering and help everything settle in nicely.

My container vegetables have been bringing me so much joy. When the mornings aren't too hot, I like to sit outside with my coffee and watch which insects stop by to inspect the garden. I still haven't added the twine to any of the bamboo trellises. I figure I'll wait until the plants actually ask for it and then string everything up where it's needed.

As it stands, the Malabar spinach is the only thing still waiting for a grow bag. My daughter has been helping with that project, and we expect to have it finished sometime next week.

I've been harvesting a few strawberries here and there, usually with breakfast, and I'm really enjoying that balance of sweet and tart. It's already made me excited to expand the patch next summer.

Now that summer has truly arrived, I'm feeling that familiar pull to slow down and simply enjoy the work of the last few months. Watching the tomatoes slowly climb their poles and branch out, seeing the calendula bloom, and spotting the tiny bell pepper flowers beginning to form—it feels good to let the garden do what it was always going to do and simply be there to watch it grow.

May 24, 2026

May 23, 2026

The end of this month finds you in a space of observation. Fertility surrounds you, but not the path forward yet. You may notice an unusual convergence of what you both condemn and condone, and as a result, decisiveness may feel difficult to grasp.

An adjustment is necessary now. Things that lay dormant now progress in a way that creates tension or conflict. Circumstances may feel ill-fated for those around you but appearances are deceptive. Allow time to anchor itself in your moment, and its blessing will eventually become visible.

May 23, 2026

May 14, 2026

Wow, this has been an interesting spring. We were finally able to really get outside this week and begin filling grow bags and arranging plants. So far we’ve planted three tomatoes — Early Girl, Super Sweet 100, and Cherokee Purple. I’m companion planting with marigolds, sweet alyssum, and basil, although the basil won’t go out until the weather warms a bit more, hopefully sometime next week. I planted Sweet Bell and Serrano Chili peppers last week and staked them with 4 ft. bamboo poles. This was my first time growing peppers and watching them grow was amazing! They were started in January.

I was especially excited to begin putting together our bamboo teepee trellises. We’ll be using them for tomatoes, yard long beans, and Malabar spinach. I’m also growing Red Burgundy and Emerald Green okra, which should finally head outdoors next week once the temperatures settle into the 90s. In the meantime, we’ve stayed busy filling their 7-gallon grow bags and shifting things around for what feels like the hundredth time.

Most of the plants are outdoors now — no more carrying trays in and out of the house because of cool evenings. The only plants still indoors are the basil, spinach, and okra. The deck is currently filled with trays of dwarf zinnias, Gazebo cosmos, calendula, marigolds, sweet alyssum, and several varieties of Swiss chard, kale, and collards. I decided to grow all greens beneath insect netting this year and will more than likely cover the tomatoes as well. I’m simply trying to minimize critter damage this summer, along with the constant BT spraying.

The strawberries have begun setting fruit, and the blueberry bareroots are doing well building roots. I also picked up a blackberry bareroot a few weeks ago and recently potted that up too. These are my long-term plant food investments, so I don’t mind the wait.

Among the herbs are several peppermint and spearmint plants, borage, and cilantro. I also plan to seed purslane around the edges of the okra grow bags once everything is fully settled in. Any other herbs will eventually be purchased from the nursery.