Lessons from the Garden (and a Summer Berry Shrub Recipe)

This time of year, being in my garden is one of my favorite places to be. Being there with family, friends, and students makes it even better. Each morning as I walk through the garden, I am astounded by the growth and beauty I see.

I also love listening to the birds. Last year my children gave me a bird feeder with a camera, and it has been so much fun to watch who comes to visit and discover new species. Several people have recommended the Merlin app to me, and I finally downloaded it this week. I'll sit in the garden, turn on the app, and it identifies the birdsong around me. It has already introduced me to so many birds I didn't realize were nearby. It is one of my new fascinations.

In the midst of all the beauty, there is also loss.

I kill plenty of plants. I forget to water them, or I plant them in a spot they don't like—too much shade, too much sun, not enough drainage. Every successful gardener I know has killed many plants along the way.

This morning, my dog also found the remains of a bird. I'm guessing the neighborhood fox may have gotten to it.

New life, growth, beauty, and death are all evident in nature. The garden reminds me daily that these things coexist. Nothing stays the same for long. There is constant change, and there is wisdom in paying attention to it.

One of my favorite ways to celebrate the abundance of this season is by making a simple shrub. It captures the flavors of summer and is delicious splashed into sparkling water on a hot afternoon, mixed into a mocktail, or used in a salad dressing.

Summer Berry Shrub

This is one of my favorite summer recipes and a wonderful way to preserve some of the season's abundance. A shrub is a combination of fruit, vinegar, and honey that can be added to sparkling water, mocktails, cocktails, or salad dressings.

Ingredients

• 1 quart mason jar

• ¾ cup berries

• 1 small lemon

• Fresh herbs such as lemon balm, mint, or basil

• Honey

• Apple cider vinegar

Feel free to experiment and add whatever sounds good to you.

Directions

1. Add the berries to a clean jar and gently mash them.

2. Slice the lemon and add it to the jar, leaving the rind on.

3. Chop the herbs and add them to the jar.

4. Fill the jar about ¾ full with apple cider vinegar.

5. Top with honey.

6. Use a plastic lid or place a piece of parchment paper between the jar and the metal lid.

7. Shake well to mix in the honey.

8. Leave the jar on your counter and shake daily for 2 weeks.

9. After 2–4 weeks, strain the mixture through cheesecloth and a fine mesh strainer.

10. Squeeze out all the goodness from the fruit and herbs.

11. Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator. It will keep for at least 6 months.

Enjoy!

And if spending time in the garden, learning about herbs, and making remedies with your own hands sounds appealing, I'd love to have you join me for the Homegrown Apothecary this July. We'll gather for a weekend of tea, connection, harvesting herbs, and creating herbal preparations together.

The garden has so much to teach us. I hope you'll join me in listening.