June has morphed into July, and suddenly we find ourselves in the belly of summer. In the grove this month, our adolescent olives pour copious amounts of energy into forming their one and only “bone”: the olive pit. July is a strenuous month for our trees. With rising temperatures and a lack of water, they prove their resilience more than ever.
To preserve water this month, the olive tree closes its stomata (tiny openings on the underside of its leaves) to help mitigate evaporation. Photosynthesis is reduced considerably at this point until temperatures settle with the sun's next seasonal shift in intensity. These stressful conditions prompt the trees to accumulate reserves until they reach maturity in the autumn.
Nature is a teacher, and the olive trees have been teaching us what it means to wait. When conditions aren’t ideal, it’s natural to look ahead with hope for better things to come. Personally, we at Zimms find ourselves looking forward to the autumn harvest, eagerly awaiting its arrival. But as we watch the olive trees wave their deep green crowns against the summer sky, we can’t help but think, Why rush this season? There’s so much beauty wrapped in these yellow days; we need to be careful not to miss it. Wherever you are during this season—whether you’re waiting for your own harvest or currently basking in it—take a moment to remember how far you’ve come. Plant your feet firmly in this season, paint a picture of your surroundings, and feel the warm breeze against your skin. All seasons seem to come and go too soon.