By May, the garden is fully in charge.

Warm weather crops finally go into the ground, tomatoes and peppers get tucked in, beans climb, squash stretches out, and herbs grow faster than I can keep up with. Harvesting becomes part of the daily rhythm, mostly so plants don’t take over completely.

Flowers need support, beds need another round of mulch, and there is always something asking for attention. The bees are busy, strong, and expanding quickly, and hive checks become very purposeful. We are constantly on the lookout for swarms we think we can catch!

May is generous and demanding at the same time. It gives a lot, and it asks for presence in return.

And just like that, summer is on its way.