June 2022 was the hottest June on record in the area and July's string of 100+ degree days has positioned us for possible back-to-back record-breaking months. In addition to the demoralizing heat, we've had almost no rain this entire summer. For the past couple of weeks I've been feeling the same sense of helplessness I did during our deep freeze in February of last year. Everyday I look at the forecast and see a column of three digit temperatures with no rain chances into the next week, resigned to the fact there isn't a single thing I can do to change it. What would typically be a casual walk around the garden becomes a test of endurance.The heat seems to contract both time and space as time slows to a near standstill and everything feels close and permanently inert. One's energy, however, drains the instant one steps outside with the speed of a battery on its last legs. I keep telling myself this too shall pass. The Garden is the best teacher in the world of that message.
Seventy per cent of our staff works outside. Craig, our Nursery Manager has been alternating taking clippings in the Garden with moving plants in the greenhouses, propagation work and up-potting with our intern, Shelby. Assistant Gardener, Luke, has been mulching and weeding beds in the shade as much as possible in between water sprinkler wrangling, and Adolfo, Ricardo, and Agustine have continued their maintenance work plus the additional watering made necessary by the excess heat and drought. It requires a bit of a "whack-a-mole" strategy, deftly alternating locations and watering days to conserve as much water as possible while keeping the Garden healthy. Adolfo walks the grounds every morning, monitoring our plants to identify those is stress that might require extra attention. We're so fortunate to have his care and experience.
Meanwhile, the new raised bed showcasing some of our potted aloe collection is done and we've created a decomposed granite plaza in the shady area in front of the sales nursery. We'll be installing some metal cafe tables and chairs soon so our guests can take full advantage of one of the only shady spots at the nursery. We're excited to give our guests a place where they can sit and relax.
The Back to the Garden exhibition is still up in the Garden Gallery. If you haven't seen it, I'd encourage you to make a reservation. We're offering tickets to see just the exhibition, and we've got tickets that combine the exhibition with a thirty minute or so tour of the North Dry Garden, highlighting plants in the Garden that John originally collected in Mexico. Between the Garden tour and the folk art exhibit, one gets the sense of how much John loved the Mexican culture and flora.
We have two big events coming up in the fall. We're hosting our first annual John Fairey Garden Nursery Trunk Show, a sale of desirable and difficult to find trees on Saturday, October 1st. We'll be sending out a Save the Date soon.
Later in the month on Thursday, October 13th, is our ninth annual Taking Root luncheon, our biggest fundraising event of the year. We are thrilled to have author Lyanda Lynn Haupt speak this year on the importance of human interaction with nature. Lyanda's most recent book is Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit. We'll post more on her in the coming months. We think you'll find her interests very timely.
In spite of the excessive heat, I hope you're enjoying your summer. Stay safe and hydrated and we'll see you in the fall.
Warm regards,
