July 18, 2025

Good morning!

It’s Friday, and the garlic we faithfully planted back in October has survived the winter. Having grown tall and strong, it’s now ready to harvest.

Unlike yesterday’s lavender, there’s no fear of depriving the bees and butterflies of their nectar. The scapes were already cut, the leaves have begun to brown. These are ours to dig. They’ll be set out on screens in the barn to cure for several weeks. When the skins have suitably thickened, we’ll give the cloves a final haircut and then set them aside for winter storage.

Meanwhile, just three months from now, another box of seed garlic will arrive from our favorite old-time Maine farmer. We’ll plant it faithfully and hope for the best, and on and on it goes.

“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.”

—Martin Luther

Respiteers, shall we gather in the imaginary pavilion to plant our apple trees together? As always, check your inbox right before the hour.

Onwards,

Clara