June Days….Dry Grass, Sprinklers and a Harvest

sprinklers

Okay, I admit that I had a hard time with the title of this post.  I think it is because it is somewhat a mish-mash of topics.  But, the overall theme is that these all have occurred in this month of June.

When we built our home back in 1999, we selected an extra large lot….not so that we could put a swimming pool in, but so I could plant a large garden.  In place of a swimming pool, we did install a grassy area in the back garden for the kids and dogs to play on.  We do not have a huge amount of grass and most of my plants are drought tolerant, since we try to minimize excess water usage.  We do live in a desert after all.

The other day, I noticed some brown areas of grass amongst the green lawn.  So, I decided to put our small hose sprinkler head on those areas to help green them up.  Well, what do sprinklers and a warm, summer day have in common?  Kids!

Small Hose Sprinkler

Small Hose Sprinkler

Gracie was so excited about running in the sprinklers that she went and put her swimming goggles on.

My husband also had the great idea to let Kai go in the sprinklers as well.  After all, his wheelchair is waterproof….I think.

Small Hose Sprinkler

Small Hose Sprinkler

Now, the only problem is is that Kai’s dad can push him into the sprinklers whenever he wants 😉

Small Hose Sprinkler

It was so nice to see Kai outdoors, enjoying the sun and being able to “run” through the sprinklers with his sisters.

Afterward, the kids decided that they wanted to eat their lunch outdoors….

lunch outdoors

Okay, now for my harvest.  We have had so much fun with our new vegetable garden this spring.  One of the most impressive vegetables we have been growing is corn.

It is hard to believe that it was just late March when Kai first planted the corn seeds.

Kai first planted the corn seeds

The corn began to grow quickly next to the neighboring cucumbers.

cucumbers

Some days you could almost measure the growth by inches.

corn

And now for the grand finish….we harvested 13 ears of corn from our 7 corn stalks.  

corn

They tasted delicious…

corn

How have you been spending your June days?

Low Temps, June GBBD and Recovery

Noelle Johnson, aka, 'AZ Plant Lady' is a author, horticulturist, and landscape consultant who helps people learn how to create, grow, and maintain beautiful desert gardens that thrive in a hot, dry climate. She does this through her consulting services, her online class Desert Gardening 101, and her monthly membership club, Through the Garden Gate. As she likes to tell desert-dwellers, "Gardening in the desert isn't hard, but it is different."
23 replies
  1. Darla
    Darla says:

    Happy memories are being made in that sprinkler! Congrats on the corn harvest…my June days have been hot, hot, hot….garden early in the morning or late in the evening.

  2. Ami
    Ami says:

    I would have wanted to go to that sprinkles too! Your kids are having lots of fun in the summer days! Glad to see Kai also got enjoying the outdoor with his sisters.

    Those corns are amazing harvest!

  3. Floridagirl
    Floridagirl says:

    Corn on the cob and runnin' in the sprinklers! What fun! These will be days your kids will never forget. They are some of my own fondest memories of childhood. Glad that Kai got to join in the fun. He looks like he's doing great. : )

  4. Catherine@AGardenerinProgress
    Catherine@AGardenerinProgress says:

    Oh how fun!! So far were spending our June days wishing it was warm enough for the kids to run through the sprinklers. Still wet and cool here.
    I can't believe that corn. I've never had luck with it. I bet the kids were excited to try it.

  5. FlowerLady
    FlowerLady says:

    Your kids enjoying the sprinkler is GREAT. I'm so glad to see Kai out. His corn looks like it's having a fantastic harvest.

    June is hot and humid here, gardening gets done early in the mornings, until about 10.

    Have a lovely weekend ~ FlowerLady

  6. Curbstone Valley Farm
    Curbstone Valley Farm says:

    I can't believe you have corn already! You've definitely surpassed the "knee-high by the fourth of July" phrase! Kai looks so happy to be outdoors. I must admit, it's warm here today, and that sprinkler looks mighty tempting!

  7. Gloria
    Gloria says:

    Hi Noelle – It is so good to see kids enjoying sprinklers. I remember hot days in California and running through the sprinklers. We still are just starting spring. We have had lots of rain.

  8. Edith Hope
    Edith Hope says:

    Dear Noelle, This is such a refreshing posting in every sense of the word: sprinkled water, Children having fun, delicious, home grown food. Could one really ask for anything more at the start of summer? Temperatures in Budapest have been close to 40C all week – I could do to be under the hose in your garden!!

  9. Kyna
    Kyna says:

    I love seeing pictures of kids having fun! My stepdaughter used to love running through the sprinkler, but she's just about 14 and would rather spend her time on YouTube instead of outside lol. Nice corn! It looked delicious!

  10. Evelyn
    Evelyn says:

    Hi Noelle
    Fab June days – Love that first photo. Gracie and the lovely flowers behind! The kids look really happy. And those corn look really great!

    My June days are pretty memorable – just been in China (where I had no access to blogger), and now am writing from Japan! More on my adventures later!

  11. Melanie
    Melanie says:

    The kids look so happy Noelle. Kai's corn turned out great. Even with short season varieties I find it too hard to harvest even one ear of corn so I don't grow it.

  12. Balisha
    Balisha says:

    Kids always flock to water…Nice cool treat for a hot summer day. It looks like they really enjoyed themselves. I can't wait for sweet corn. It will be a little while for us. Enjoy!
    balisha

  13. Meems
    Meems says:

    Hi Noelle,
    Wow, that corn looks perfect. What fun for you and for Kai. He must feel very proud. Nothing better than homegrown.

    June has been like summer here and the veggie garden is struggling to hang on but we are doing our best with it anyway.

    Love the sprinkler days. Your children are getting cooled off and feeling free outdoors. I can't have my garden hose out without the little ones (grandchildren) finding a way to get wet in it. Such fun.
    Meems

  14. gippslandgardener
    gippslandgardener says:

    Great to see such happy and content looking kids 🙂
    I'm amazed at speed at which your corn grew Noelle! I might try growing some myself when the time is right here.

  15. 声明
    声明 says:

    hi,i am come from china, look at your kid's smiling who come from china too, i want to say thank you,your husband and you are a great parent!

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