What happens to my garden every July?

While my gardens continue to improve each year, there always comes a point - this point - when the reality of Kansas City summer takes its toll on my garden. Through the years I have moved more and more to plants that Kansas State University has proved durable in our heat and humidity and yet I still have unexplained failures. Last fall I completely redid my sun garden taking out all the plants, amending the soil and purposely planting this spring. I say purposely planting because in the past for this particular garden I have tended to plant a potpourri of selections that I found enticing in the garden center but without a plan.

Having been deliberate in my selections this spring, I am disappointed that the marigolds have not flourished and are in danger of dying. The sweet pea seeds came up with gusto but have now dwindled to nothing. And that is just a few of the problems.

My yard is mostly in shade so through the years I am getting closer to success in the shade gardens but this sun garden is a challenge. I thought it would be the easy one. I know gardening involves a lot of trial and error but I had such high hopes.  All of my selections indicated in the postings at the garden center that they would thrive in "our area." Perhaps that does not include my yard.

I started a garden journal complete with pictures this year so this is just more to note. Stay tuned.