Homestead Happenings: Flowers & Nature 6/8/26!

Pictured: Hairy Vetch along the road 6/6/26.

This week we took our Woods Walk during passing thunderstorms. Dry one second and pouring the next. Still managed to see some flowers, make a video and see some birds.
Enjoy! Amy

Table of Contents:
1. The Garden: Guides & Plantings
2. The Blooms & Fruit: Seasons Based on Phenology
3. The Videos: Spying on Nature
4. The Funnies: Plant & Nature Humor
5. The Blog: Livestock & Upcoming Editions
6. Thank You!

~ The Garden: Guides & Plantings ~

The waning crescent moon (Last Quarter moon through New moon) is good for letting the garden rest and just doing maintenance jobs.

I’ve compiled a list of planting dates for 2026 based on the moon phases:
2026 Planting Guide – Zones 7/8
Here is the advice for this week:
After 3:01pm Jun 8th to before 7:55am Jun 14th (waning crescent moon) – Give the garden a rest from planting/pruning. Mulch perennial beds to preserve water if not done earlier in month.

~ The Blooms & Fruit: Seasons Based on Phenology ~

Today’s blooms: Crimson Columbine (Aquilegia formosa), Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), Alsike Clover (Trifolum hybridum), and Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)

~ The Videos: Spying on Nature ~

Lots of interesting animals on the creek log lately! We missed the Swainson’s Thrush on last week’s blog post and it is Shane’s “Life Bird” for his Merlin app that he just hasn’t been able to spot!
LOOK AT THAT BABY too. I just want to hold it!
We had thunderstorms passing through on Saturday but we did our Woods Walk anyway! Enjoy a creek sound video in the rain.

~ The Funnies: Plant & Nature Humor ~

Enjoy weekly memes found online!

~ The Blog: Livestock & Upcoming Editions ~

Don’t forget the monthly Homestead Happenings: Livestock Edition that goes out the first of each month!

Here’s the latest:

Homestead Happenings: Livestock Edition June 2026

The next Homestead Happenings: Livestock Edition for the June recap will come out July 1st, where we check in with how the sheep & chicken flocks are faring at the start of Summer!

We’ll also see you all again June 15th for the next Homestead Happenings: Flowers & Nature, where there will be even more garden guidance and we check out what else is blooming in the woods and gardens!

The blog is a sampling of all the photos I’ve taken this month. Please head over to our social media to see the photo dumps!