Welcome Midsummer!

At 6:51 this morning, we experienced the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere. And the weather forecast could not be any better. Partly Sunny, 0% chance of Rain and a high of 76 degrees.  Although is is officially the "beginning" of summer on the calendar, the summer solstice was traditionally considered the "mid-point" of the growing season. !Sigh! My garden is not cooperating. I think I am going to reseed some of my plots today where the seeds either did not germinate or have gotten consumed by some other creature. The radish plants are doing well with the recent cooler nights and have added some spice to our dinner salads.

Since the first day of summer also has the longest hours of daylight (15 hours and 22 minutes in New Hampshire) it truly is a day to get outside and celebrate. Because the sun is higher in the sky in the summer it's rays are more directed at the earth and result in warmer days. And because the earth and oceans collect, store and release the energy from the sun at different rates, typically the warmest days of the year are yet to come in July and August. 

And although the total length of daylight will now diminish, it is comforting to note that the sun will not start setting later until July 5th providing me with plenty of daylight while tending to the garden after work.