Garden/outdoor season is just beginning (but not according to big box stores)

I think it's strange how big retail boxes swoosh by the seasons before they've even begun. Yep, I'm a retailer myself, and understand very well how far ahead you have to be of everything. We buy Christmas in January, start receiving it in August (when it's hot and sunny and the holiday season feels like it's a million miles away), and put it on the shelves when appropriate (way later). You have to get it early, or else you won't get it. That's how it works.

But the box stores are on another timetable. The other day I went on a quest for a market umbrella for the shop – something we don't carry – and knew I'd have to hit some of the majors. The garden departments at Costco, Shopko, Target were nearly wiped out of merchandise, and starting to prep for the next season (believe it or not, back to school and Halloween, although nothing was overtly ghoulish).

It looked like summer was over before it even began. Don't know about you, but we haven't had dinner once in our back yard so far this summer. Maybe now, now that it's July and warming up. That's when summer really begins for us. When we can lounge out in the garden with a G&T, followed by a nice leisurely dinner under the gazebo. With Mollie (our sweet old girl) sprawled on the grass, twitching her nose at possible dinner offerings, little bugs, the sound of children laughing on the other side of the fence. We like to stretch out these lovely days, not hurry onto the next season.

I know, planting season is kind of done. Or is it? While we have no hopes of growing tomatoes this year, we're still planting up some nice flowers and herbs. Our hanging basket is just getting started with its lush cascade of flowers.  Teeny strawberries are hanging delicately from their leafy vines. Summer starts... now.

Yes, and in contrast to the box stores, we are full of great garden accoutrements at Pomegranate. We're just coming into our full stride with inventory packed into the barn and gardens... everything you need for entertaining outside, and for decorating the garden. Our trellis bells are flying out the door (no worries, we ordered a bunch), as are the volcanic ash buddhas, solar Soji lanterns, porcelain stools, lanterns and side tables, shepard's hooks, garden étagères, teak mushrooms... Oh yes, can't forget the trays (lacquered wood in orange, white, aqua -- very reasonably priced), the fun paper "tablecloths" in 50' rolls (or tear-off paper placemats), new glassware, lanterns, recycled glass bowls and serving dishes. We love summer. Let's bask in it for the next couple of months.