Dear Carol, Mary Ann and everyone else,
If you live in the continental U.S. (and not on the left or right coasts), I have two words for you, “Don’t despair.”
I know, it’s hot and not going to cool down anytime soon, but if we just hang in there for a month and a half, our world will be seasonable again. I hope.
Hey, you there, on the greenhouse roof, don’t jump! Everything will look brighter, ‘er cooler in a week or so. In fact, next week is supposed to be in the low 90s.
Mid-September, all this heat will be past, and we’ll celebrate a second spring.
Until then, just water the containers at least once a day, and perhaps move them (except for sedums and agave type plants) in a bit of shade. Keep the garden and grass watered too, and we’ll meet back here later. I water at night right now to help with evaporation.
I’ve lost interest in the vegetable garden. However, this morning, I did harvest some okra, one cucumber, three tomatoes, a host of cherry tomatoes, peppers, basil and several eggplant. I still have an itty bitty watermelon. I did fertilize the whole mess in hopes of growing the watermelon to a decent size and maybe a cantaloupe or two.
If you stop by, you’ll find me curled up in an easy chair with a paperback novel. I’m tired of summer. Bring on fall with its brilliant colors and cooler temps. I’m ready. How about you?
I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who’s lost interest in the garden, Dee:) Our temps have “only” been in the nineties, but the heat indices have been over 100 each day. I am definitely ready for fall!
And I thought our forecast was bad!
Dee, It’s really hot here south of Tulsa too!. Trying to keep the plants alive is a chore! We are losing young pecan trees and maples :(. My roses are coming back after the terrible bout with black spot though.
Thanks for the encouragement. I am glad to know about the lower temps next week!
Stay cool!
Kelly
We’ve had a few nice cool days and days of rain but a heat wave is coming. I wish you rain!
Thank you Stevie. We need rain.
Hi, Dee! I’m sorry you are having such a hard summer. I do understand. It’s about the same out here, in the high 90’s much of the time, but it’s true we don’t have that wretched humidity. Still, early mornings are the time to garden–not in the full sun, for sure. It sounds like your garden is still giving you a lot, though! Well done!
Yes, Kathryn, I’ve learned to love the early morning. It’s not cool then either, however, it is better than mid-afternoon.
OH come on honey, don’t give up. Take off your clothes and go outdoors tonight. Play in the water, move plants, pick tomatoes, listen to the hornworms chewing.
Love to you,
Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island
Easy for you to write my dear friend. You’re in Maine and next to the coast, but still, don’t worry I’m not giving up. I go out every morning and work a bit.
I’m in an Okie state of mind, Dee. The only good thing about this hot summer is that it kept me inside preparing for my art exhibition this month. According to our forecast August 14 will be 95 degrees, very unusual for Chicago this time of year.
But I still love summer better than Fall or Winter.
Carolyn, I’m so happy you’re able to paint and enjoy your art while the sun shines so brightly. Good luck on your exhibition. Wish I were there to see your paintings.
Though not as bad as yours, Dee, this was one of the hottest summers ever. Though tired of working outside in the heat/humidity, I am not anxious for autumn. My life is fading too fast already 🙂
Joey, I completely understand. I don’t want my life to zoom by, I just want it a bit cooler so I can enjoy the days.
It hasn’t been that hot here, but I’m right there with you and being ready for summer to be over. I think summer is God’s way of making us look forward to winter.
MMD, maybe we should go to England where the summer isn’t so fierce?
Weather like we’re having right now is the reason August is my least favorite month. I’m even getting tired of reading, I’ve done so much of it. Plus I’m running out of books!
Cindy, we need an indoor exercise program to keep up revved up until fall.
Holy moly, that’s ugly, Dee. Feel like a little trip to Maryland? We’re only in the 90s here.
The good news about that though is that I don’t need auxiliary heat for the new baby chick. Small blessings.
Robin, I think I’d like to visit Seattle about now. Maybe see my friend, Wanda, who lives on Puget Sound. They sound like their weather is even cooler than the 90s. Of course, I’d come to Maryland just to see you.
I’m almost ready for fall, but not quite ready to give up on the vegetable garden, well almost ready to give up on it. It has been so hot here, not quite as hot as there, but still hot for us. I do look forward to fall because that’s when we will start planting “phase 2” of my newly designed gardens!
Carol,
I bet you’re excited about Phase 2. I know I am. Can’t wait to see them growing. I haven’t given up yet.
I’m also watering at night.It doesn’t sound like you garden is through with summer,even though you are.It has been long and hot, I can imagine you are tired of summer. It is a good time to read.
Patsy, I have this easy chair in the study, and I sit there curled up in the a/c during the middle of the day after I’ve finished my chores. I take an hour at least just to be. It helps with the heat.
You bet I am ready for fall. I stayed in today and cleaned house. How is that for a desperate attempt at keeping cool.
I guess I’m ready too, but I’m always sad to see the garden season come to an end. I just wish it would cool down a bit.
I am right there with you. The watering routine is getting old. But, I’m harvesting tomatoes and squash.
GSS, I am also still harvesting loads of tomatoes and peppers and cucumbers for that matter. They all taste good on a hot summer day.
Dee, What I feel is pooped~ The heat/humidity have drained my energies. I totally understand how people end up accomplishing nothing in the deep south of a Faulkner novel! I am so ready for fall~ xxgail
Me too, Gail, this ongoing heat is exhausting.
Thanks for the pep talk, Dee! That weather forecast is quite depressing. It is getting harder to keep the containers watered, some need twice a day and I am having trouble being out for even that long. Must remember your words of wisdom. It will get cooler!
Frances,
The containers are what frustrate me the most this time of year. I just have to pretend I’m zen watering like Gail at Clay and Limestone suggests I guess.