Garden in Summer 2013

These days I love waking up around 5 or 6 in the morning to tend the garden before the sun is in full sight.

It was a very private moment of the day for me, a block of time before neighbours get out to work, before birds start to tweet, before bugs wake up, before much traffic begins to flow, and before everyday routine resumes. The garden is in full shade around this time, bright but elegantly grey in tone. Given that I do not need to dodge burning sun beams, I am able to feel the garden in a more intimate way. It smells fresh, feels cool, and sounds quiet. Colours are even brighter. Every second is endearing to me.

My garden was never productive in summer in the past due to irresistible heat and ever-proliferating bugs, but this year I sowed some zinnia and portulaca grandiflora with a very humble expectation that they would eventually flourish. Surprisingly they have taken over the entire space of the front patch with their bright blossoms at different heights.

They are blooming well fearless of the sun, and the balls of colours add pleasant varieties to the monotonous golden light in summer.