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Dear Helen: I fear more hot, dry summers lie ahead. Are there ways for home gardeners to mitigate the effects of these challenging conditions? I鈥檓 not ready to give up on growing favourite flowers, fruits and vegetables. P.H.

It feels like a Mediterranean summer, probably because the garden鈥檚 abundance, and the heat, remind me of living on the south coast of France and on a Greek island.

Dear Tony: Our townhouse complex in Burnaby recently hired a roofing company to correct a number of leaks that were identified in the early spring storms.

Dear Helen: I managed to grow decent garlic bulbs last year and again this year, and would like to use some of the bulbs for planting in the fall.

Heavily featured in neighbourhood news this summer has been a pair of hawks nesting in a giant fir tree across the street from my home.

Dear Tony: Our strata corporation had a flood in our 52-unit building almost two years ago. It was caused by an owner who renovated their kitchen and resulted from a breached water line from mounting screws.

Dear Helen: In a long, deep, narrow box planter in my greenhouse there is a series of tall, large-leaved cucumber vines that began flagging last month. The leaves are slightly yellowed and limp.

Despite the relentless tedium of trying to keep plantings alive in the heat and drought, the garden has been delivering a delectable array of tasty snacks.

Dear Tony: Our strata council president recently posted a notice in our building indicating there are 10 additional parking spaces available for sale at a rate of $15,000 from the strata corporation.

Dear Helen: Your recent advice to begin planning for acquiring the seeds that will be needed for next year raised a question for me.