Savoring Summer

Although the arrival of August may signal the end of some favorite summer pasttimes and back to school for some students, I’m not ready to let summer go just yet! With temperatures still in the 90s and daylight lasting until 8 pm, the season is by no means over.

The following is a list of activities that are perfect to enjoy in late summer, and we still recommend these ideas for late summer fun that Sara shared a few years ago.

• Stock up on seasonal items at the farmer’s market. Late season items like peaches, tomatoes, corn, and berries can be plentiful and at a good price. It’s a great time to stock up, try new recipes, or support local artisans before the season shifts.

• Watch an outdoor movie. Late summer is a great time to catch an outdoor movie. It can stay warm into the evenings and gets dark out at a reasonable time, which is an added bonus for those of us who struggle to stay awake past 10 pm.

• See late blooming wildflowers. This is the best time of year to see sunflowers towering above fields and gardens. Depending on where you live, goldenrod and asters bloom in late summer with rich yellows and purples.

• Take advantage of end of season plant sales. I learned this one from my husband. Many of the plants in our garden are discounted finds from one of his favorite garden centers. Garden centers also offer discounts on outdoor furnishings as fall approaches.