summer

In Summer, the Garden is at its peak activity, for both plants and animals alike. Here, we can see a small native ecosystem thriving within an urban landscape, fueled by the long days and warm (sometimes hot) climate. Although Summer is our warmest season, the microclimate at the Gardens can be harsh. Because the Gardens sit atop a small hill atop a larger hill, it is more exposed to the afternoon Zephyr winds, which carries heat and moisture away from the bodies of the living organisms. And, nighttime temperatures can be relatively cooler than elsewhere on the hill, which is more pronounced when the climate is dry (low humidity)

Deserts are defined by the lack of water, and plants that are uniquely adapted to survive and persist when water is limited or lacking. While many of the plants here are irrigated to facilitate their survival and health, they still have unique adaptations to survive this dry period, such as long taproots.

PLANTS

For plants, the blooming season may be winding down, at its peak, or just underway. However, summer is when the highest diversity and abundance of plants are flowering. The Garden has plant species flowering throughout the entire growing season (spring, summer, fall), ensuring a constant food source for pollinators.

The most common species to grow and flower in summer include:

INSECTS

Despite the aridity and rugged terrain in our Gardens, many of the native and non-native plants here will bloom in the summer. These blooms will attract many insects. For example, many honey bees (non-native) from our campus hives can be found here, as well as solitary bees.

Not all bees live in large family groups like honey bees. In fact, of all the bee species, over 90% are solitary bees. Female solitary bees prepare their own nest in the ground, in cracks or crevices in walls, or in wood. They gather nectar and pollen as food for their own offspring, and provide little or no further care after their eggs are laid. Solitary bees come in many different sizes, colors and shapes. Common solitary bees are mason bees, plasterer bees, digger bees, sweat bees and carpenter bees. They vary in color from basic black to bright metallic green, blue or red. Some solitary bees superficially resemble wasps. If you visit the solitary bee housing by the milkweed plant bed, you might be able to spot a native solitary bees!

OTHER SPECIES

Summer is a time of peak activity for most life in the Great Basin desert, although many animals shift their activity to avoid the temperature extremes. This includes birds, reptiles, mammals, non-arthropod insects, and fungi.

The calls of American Robins in the elongated dusk of summer is a characteristic.

For animals, mating season has already peaked, and females (and sometimes their male partners) are now gathering resources to support their soon-to-arrive offspring, such as birds building nests, lizards thermoregulating to maximize the rate of fetal development, and ground squirrels foraging for nutritious meals. Males of many species also spend time defending their territories, such as Western fence lizards who you will likely observe doing push-ups or standing their ground as you approach. Many animals are becoming crepuscular, being active in the early morning and late evening to avoid the hottest temperatures, which further strain their hydration levels. For ectothermic species, such as lizards (and most insects), their activity is peaked during warmer temperatures.

Fungi are less common to observe in summer, especially compared to spring. Fungi thrive in cool, moist climates and the Garden is warmest and driest in summer. However, it may be possible to see the fruiting bodies of mushrooms in microhabitats, such as shaded areas along the north side of tree trunks or shrubs, and where water is present, such as near leaky irrigation lines. Even though fungi are generally not fruiting, they remain active or semi-active underground via their hyphae. Usually, a change in the environment will cue their emergence. So, it's not uncommon for some mushrooms to fruit after a summer rain.