Pretty busy day today at the food forest. I think, after a year of living in the food forest, I’m starting to realize that I don’t actually need to have a big chunk of time to work in the food forest like I used to. Before living here, I used to come to the food forest before six in the morning so I can work for at least two hours before I have to go home at around eight. Since living here, I never got to work those hours like I used to, and I was feeling a bit bad about it. But now I realize I can actually be in the food forest any time of the day…or night!

A Dayap (*Citrus aurantifolia*) and Longevity Spinach (*Gynura procumbens*) I transplanted around seven in the evening, after dinner.

Night gardening always feels a little bit more special somehow. And definitely much cooler, too. Is it also very hot and dry where you are?!?

Before this night’s time in the food forest though, there was also the time before breakfast when my son and I filled up our Herbacious Pot (named by him).

Here we have a Rosemary (*Rosemarinus officinalis*) in the center, some Spearmint (*Mentha spicata*) to the right, Garlic Chives (*Allium tuberosum*) to the bottom, some Thyme (*Thymus vulgaris*) to the left, and then some Flat-Leaf Parsley (*Petroselinum crispum var. neapolitanum*) above it.

We planted all these herbs together because they come from the same region, the Mediterranean, and so they have similar watering - and drying! - requirements. I’ve planted Rosemary twice in the ground already, and while they thrived during the dry season, once the rains came, they slowly said goodbye. Rosemary doesn’t like their roots soggy and waterlogged. I’ve also planted Thyme and Spearmint in the Herb Spiral, but they, too, did not last long. Hopefully, keeping them in this barrel pot makes them happier and lusher.

Here’s a side view:

I hope your gardens and food forests are making it through this hot and dry season. Don’t forget that if you’re going to water, you can water deeply and less frequently. Take care, everyone!