August Reflections: Growth, Lessons, and Little Joys

As August comes to a close, I’m taking a moment tfor my August reflections, looking back on the growth, lessons, and little joys this month brought.

A Season of Transition

I am so not ready for summer to be over. It feels like summer took a while to get going, which affected the growth of some plants. But everything that starts must come to an end. Or does it really need to?

August feels like a month of transition. As I write my August reflections, I notice kids are going back to school, and plants are shifting in the garden to make way for new ones. While I enjoyed my children’s help in the garden, I also enjoy the quiet moments when it’s just me and the plants.

Wins and Surprises in the Garden

Part of my August reflections include celebrating the surprises in the garden.

• My bean plants are done for the season. I could have replanted them for another harvest before frost, but chose not to.
• My squash plant gave me one squash, then seemed finished—until I spotted two more forming just yesterday.
• My pepper plant, which had been stubborn about flowering, is finally producing peppers! Gardening teaches patience like nothing else.
• My cucumbers have been so abundant I had to start giving them away. The plant is slowing down now, but still producing.
• My scotch bonnet pepper is still small, but growing. I’ll repot it into a larger tray soon and do my best to overwinter it.
• My herbs are ready for drying, though I’ll admit some days I don’t get out to harvest. And that’s okay. Gardening should be a joy, not a chore.

Lessons from Setbacks

Not everything thrived this month. My corn in grow bags struggled from the very beginning. Last year was successful, but this year the plants kept dying or never seemed strong. I’m not sure what went wrong, but I’m determined to learn and try again.

My okra also seemed slow this season. Last year, I had pods earlier, but with this year’s unusual weather, growth has been delayed. They’re finally coming in now, and I’m hopeful for a harvest before frost.

Sweet Notes to End the Month

Not everything has been a challenge. My strawberries are still producing and getting sweeter by the day. I’ll be figuring out how to overwinter them so they’ll be ready for spring.

My sorrel (roselle), however, took too long to sprout, so it won’t reach production this year. That’s gardening—some plants thrive, some don’t, and all of it is a chance to learn.

Closing Thoughts

All in all, the plants that remain are doing well, and I can only hope to improve each year. Both my life and my garden keep teaching me to be patient, to adapt, and to keep growing.

Each month, I’m reminded: if I listen to my plants and give them what they need, they’ll continue to grow and thrive—and so will I.