The brightest of the stars in the Big Dog constellation is Sirius, the Dog Star. In the mid-summer, it can be seen rising and setting with the sun. This conjunction caused the ancients to believe that Sirius’ heat added to the heat of the sun, creating a stretch of hot and sultry weather. They named this stretch of time, from 20 days before the conjunction to 20 days after, the Dog Days, which begin on July 22nd and run through August 22nd.

Summer’s long days and sultry nights can mean more time to enjoy your pond or water feature. But the warmer water temperatures also create a perfect environment for an outbreak of every pond owner’s number one headache-algae. There are two types that are commonly found in home water gardens.

It doesn’t really matter what you call them because one of our favorite sights of summer are those yellow-green orbs flashing against the backdrop of the garden at dusk. Fireflies are not flies. Nor are lightning bugs, bugs. And no one would think that a glowworm is actually a worm. These creatures are classified as beetles and inhabit areas like meadows, open woods and Midwestern backyards. They seem to prefer moister habitats for breeding and laying eggs, and they are carnivorous.

Mid-summer is an especially nice time to start a garden journal. Our to-do lists have shortened and everything is just so beautiful. It’s helpful to make notes of particular diseases or pests that may haunt your yard year after year. Phenology is the study of seasonal phenomena, especially in relation to animal activity, plant development, and climate change. So take a couple of minutes to stroll through and observe what is going on in your garden.