By MG Pat Kenny
It was the summer of 2023, and all was going well in our deer-fenced garden, pictured here facing south.
The elecampane (Inula helenium) and Tithonia rotundifolia were showing their colors …
The hummingbird feeder (shown here floating above some Salvia guaranitica) was set to attract those lovely little pollinators …
We allowed some volunteer morning glories to thrive next to the potted Rosa rugosa in the center, while the volunteer butternut squash (at left) was climbing the deer fence out of the compost pile to the west.
But what was this? Oh, the
shock! Hidden from view from outside the garden, our best and tallest sunflower
had fallen over before having a chance to set a bloom.
During planting a month or so earlier, I had added a stick to support the sunflower, with jute to secure it. Due to my own inattention, the fast-growing sunflower base got girdled by the jute. When the plant grew heavy with top foliage, the winds were easily able to snap it off.
Lesson learned: pay attention to your garden!
