Dear Readers,

Now that the summer solstice has passed, we begin the long, slow descent to fall and winter. We are officially losing a couple of minutes of daylight per day – not that it’s noticeable. Though sunrise is about four in the morning and sunset around midnight, the hours in between can hardly be called “night.” Rather, it’s a period of quiet, peaceful twilight. Despite the fact that it’s nearly July, we had an overnight temperature of 35° F once this week! And on overcast and cool days like today, there’s still a need to light a fire in the wood stove in the morning.

Nevertheless, the garden is thriving. We had our first cucumbers and green beans (both grown in the greenhouses) this week. I expect to be overwhelmed with summer squash in the next week. There are lots of tomatoes set on the vine, though it will be a while before any ripen. Peppers are starting to form, and peas, potatoes and carrots continue their robust growth.

Mother Nature is tending her garden, too. Wildflowers are blooming along roadsides and in the woods around our house. The early blooming varieties are reaching their peak while the buds of later blooming varieties begin to form. To learn more about some of Alaska’s wildflowers, check out my latest article (with photos!):

Common Wildflowers of Alaska
As you drive along the Alaska Highway, you notice a flash of yellow or pink or purple. What might that flower be? Read this guide to some of the most common wildflowers in Alaska.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art57482.asp

Please visit alaska.bellaonline.com for even more great content about Alaska.

Enjoy your weekend!
Kimi Ross, Alaska Editor
http://alaska.bellaonline.com

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