As most gardeners know – as soon as you till the soil and plant your vegetables, along come the invaders who want to mimic and take over the fresh, prepared soil. Just the other day we found an invasive species of plant in the midst of my corn that can lay dorman for FIFTY – yes 50 – years! It had the most interesting little “pod” and a pretty yellow flower. But thanks to experienced “plant spotters” on iNaturalist, we also learned lovey little beauty can quickly take over and spread seeds that a gardener cannot hope to eradicate. These may have been in the ground from when this house was built! So – up it came and into the firepit.

Just like in this artwork, “thorns” of one type or another take advantage of all our carefully cultivated spaces – whether they be in garden plantings or human interactions. For roses, in particular (I have quite a few in my garden), thorns are even necessary for the healthy life and longevity of the rose. While we can protect ourselves a bit with the use of gloves and clippers, sometimes we just have to manage dealing with getting snagged a bit. Hopefully, our experiences of the beauty and scent of the rose will balance out the trials of cultivation.

In recognition of the joy of a summer’s bounty – and the lovely roses blooming around my little world – I’m offering a one-time, one-per-person coupon (on my website only) for the print “To Cultivate Roses One Must Learn to Live With Thorns“. The coupon code is GARDENJUNE2023 and by using this code you will receive $10.00 off the normal price of $75.00. Shipping remains the same ($18.00). The coupon is good through June 17, 2023.

*Sale has ended.

Hoping you have a blessed and joyous time this summer whether cultivating your yard, your home, or your relationships!