Let's Not Talk About It

I have heard multiple times this week "Fall is just around the corner" or "Fall will be here soon". I must say I am really not interested in hearing any of it. Summer got started late and I am not that fond of cold. Near as I can tell, summer season does not officially end until September 22. That is a long time from now and we could have an Indian Summer to stretch things out a bit. So I propose that we just don't talk about it. Let's let that sleeping dog lie and enjoy where we are right now!

Taking a Break

Finally, a much needed rain shower! It has been a while to say the least. It has been hot and dry here. I love a good summer shower for its ability to give me a break from watering. How do you know if you can really take that watering break? It is imperative that you have a rain gauge. Nothing fancy is needed. I think mine is a freebie from a bank that is now defunct. You just want one that is easy to read. The next step is to place it in a good spot. Make sure it is in an open location where something like an over hanging tree will not block the rain as it comes down. A popular spot is the top of a tall fence. Sometimes a quick summer shower will seem like a down pour but will really not drop that much rain. One or two tenths is not that much in the heat of the summer. I would suggest you need at least a half an inch to give yourself a day off. Rain gauges are typically read in tenths of an inch. Each line equals one tenth. The proper way to read is at the bottom of the meniscus. As you look at the water in the gauge, it will have a slight curve, that curve is the meniscus and you want to take your reading at the bottom. My gauge says five tenths or half an inch so, I will be on the porch enjoying the smell of rain!

Can You Keep Up?

I water my entire half acre yard with a hose. Nothing automated here. When we have several consecutive days near 100 I cannot keep up and things begin to look a bit stressed around here. I worked at a nursery for a lady who told me that once the plants wilted damage had already been done. Well, I am not sure that I believe that. I cannot tell you how many times I have watered things back from the brink and they seem no worse for the wear. This however does not go for the vegetable garden. Limited or irregular water can effect your harvest. Each time you water, be sure to water deeply. You want to make sure the roots are going down into the earth and not looking for water in the top two inches. That is the part that dries out the most rapidly. The best way to make sure you are watering long enough is to get out the shovel and check your soil moisture for several consecutive days after you water. A hand spade is really all you need to make sure you are getting a good 8-10 inches or more of soil penetration. Its good check you lawn in the same manner if you have doubts.

Are You Sharing in the Bounty?

I hope you are sharing the bounty of your crops! A client of mine did while I was in her yard last week. She even made it sound like I was doing her a favor by taking some cherries from her tree. Indeed I most likely did as I know the feeling of seeing that hard work rot on the tree. So remember, when you have eaten all the zucchini you can stand, or frozen and pitted all the cherries you care to eat, invite your friends over! There really is no reason for it to go to waste and what may currently be a burden to you is most likely a delight to the lucky recipient of your gift!

Workout Equipment

My husband somehow conned my BIL into a long term loan on this little machine. I don't know how he did it and I am actually pretty surprised that he did! You see, I am constantly being accused of always doing things the hard way. Hanging laundry out, planting buffalo grass, riding my bike, using old school pencils....you get my drift. So, I was a little shocked to see him out there pushing this fine piece of equipment through the lawn. Its quiet. You don't need to run the kids or the dog inside to use it. You can listen to your favorite podcast and burn some extra calories in the process. My husband actually called the process "pleasant" and declared that it did not take any more time than the loud little gas hog. If your thinking about it, come on by and I'll let you take it for a whirl....Tom Sawyer style. I think you'll love it!

Please, come have a seat!

I love my front porch. It looks out over the street beckoning to passersby. For some reason it has gotten a lot of compliments lately. I think it really has to do with the fact that the landscape is beginning to look mature. This has to be the case because I haven't done anything different than I have for the past two years. Same pillows, baskets, furniture arrangement etc. Nothing new. We have poured a lot of heart and soul into this house and garden. I cannot tell you how good it makes me feel when a perfect stranger stops me to say "Hey your yard looks really good, this house has come a long way." It's a painfully slow process and I am always certain there are not enough hours in the day but, I do enjoy the rewards. So come on by. We'll sit on the porch, have some tea, and raise our glasses to the people as they pass by!

Knee High by the Fourth of July

My father used to always say the the corn needed to be "Knee high by the the fourth of July". Who's knee do you think he was taking about? Things are definitely coming along out there in the garden. Several things didn't germinate this year. I think it had a lot to do with the cold weather. The ground just didn't seem to warm up quick enough! I missed all of the great early crops like radish, lettuce and spinach. I intend to try again this fall but I must say the salad bowl is very sadly empty!