Welcome back, outdoor friends.

This week I want to talk about the garden. Sometimes it is hard for people who really enjoy the outdoors to actually get out. A garden is something everyone should have.

We have several flower beds and a vegetable garden. We enjoy getting out in the evenings, once the sun starts to set, when it’s not blistering hot, and watering our thirsty gardens. My sweetheart takes care of the flower gardens and I tackle the vegetable garden. Watering at night gives the plants more time to quench their thirst before the sun rises.

We also enjoy “some” of our visitors, like the hummingbirds. I am told by our neighbors that these same guests visit them regularly; they make their rounds.

If you look very closely at the photo, you will also see one visitor we are not real happy with. We are being overrun by ants. They have launched an all-out assault on everything that is edible. If anyone knows how to counter this assault, please let me know. I’ve tried everything I know.

My grandfather was what I would call a master gardener. He had a real green thumb and was quite well known for it. He found peace of mind in his garden. It is what draws me there also. I would consider myself a novice who enjoys making the attempt. I’ll let you know how I do in the fall. So far, it looks good, but I do have some concerns.

First would be the ants. Second, the lack of rain. Third would be planning for trips that might take me away for more than 24 hours. I guess I watch my garden pretty closely, and I like it that way. I have lost a garden in the past due to a weeklong family vacation.

We would like to hear from you gardeners out there. I know there are quite a few who are much better at this than I am. We would also like to see some of your pictures. They could be of your visitors, your flowers, your vegetables, or of your entire garden.

Gardens are peaceful spots, and we would like to share some of everyone’s peace with the rest of our readers. We would also like to share any garden secrets you might be willing to share. What works, what doesn’t work, what you have learned, what to avoid, what to ensure, how to bring in more welcomed visitors and how to make sure the unwelcome stay out.

Until next week, let’s pray together for some much needed rain.