It’s time to unleash my inner gardening goddess.

She’s in there, somewhere, but downtown apartment living­ has stunted any growth over the years.

Sure, there were the lilac and white petunias in pots and pink primroses this spring in a $9.99 plastic flower box. And, of course, several failed attempts. I’m looking at you, yellow mums (so pretty yet so persnickety!) and red Salvia that shriveled up after a week.

But now that I’ve put down roots—and own a shovel and clippers­—I’m ready to green up my city-girl thumbs.

I now have my own slice of earth, all 7-10th of an acre of it. The owners before me left behind a beautiful bounty —asparagus, strawberries, black raspberries and mint. I’m ready to maintain what’s there now and add my own seeds to grow. I hope you’ll find our summer spread on gardening as interesting as I did.

And from land to water, we offer ways to stay cool and fit with a guide to area canoeing and kayaking. This month’s fitness inspiration features our first couple, Rod and Brenda Titus of Bedford. The Titus’ share secrets to making lifestyle changes and sticking to them. Please keep sharing your own lifestyle changes, story ideas, photos and favorite walking and biking paths on myINstride.com.

Enjoy these days, and nights, of summer.

Sarah Morin, editor