This summer is taking its toll on south central gardeners especially in parts of Texas and all of Oklahoma except the southeast which has rain like Arkansas. So, what does a gardener do when jealous? Accuse them of conspiring with the weather?
No, I don’t think so. Here in Guthrie-land, we got a wee shower Thursday night, so wee it didn’t even show up on the rain gauge. We’ve had over 100F temperatures twenty days this summer so far. To say I’m cranky is putting it far too mildly. That, and a difficult work week are making me feel as though I’ve lost my mojo. Bill assures me I haven’t.
For once, even the weather folks don’t look excited about breaking records. They are talking as though this summer will be worse than 1980, the hottest summer in Oklahoma on record with fifty over 100F days. Just so you know, our norm is ten.
I have no tomatoes, no peppers, no squash. It’s so bad, the fruit and vegetable stands are bringing in produce from other states including Texas. I know because I asked them.
Everything looks burned, and I don’t even want to go out there anymore. I am especially tired of watering the poor pots although in my opinion, they look surprisingly good because I’ve pulled all but the most stalwart plants against the east side of the house to get a half day of shade.
It is so dreadfully hot I’ve actually considered letting them die. Did I just say that?
Hush my mouth.
You know what’s stopping me?
Scenes like this. This is my favorite vignette in the garden right now on this day. Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora, ‘Antique Montbretia’ with red ‘Ruby Throat’ daylilies, a rose not blooming, but the foliage is good, and several types of coleus. I am not using their longer name today. It’s too hot, and I’m too tired. I went outside early and worked my tail end off.
Another reason I’m hanging tough?
September, blessed September, the month of my birth and the time of the Harvest Moon. No matter how awful our summers, by the middle of September, the air begins to cool. The butterflies dance among the flowers, and the roses bloom anew.
September is one of the sweetest words in an Oklahoma gardener’s vocabulary. For my Texas friends, their sweet spot is October.
I also chose my vacation days to go to Seattle in a couple of weeks to attend the Summer Bloggers Fling 2011. How many of you are going somewhere cool this summer? Do you have someone to watch and water your plants? My daughter says she will. Bill will make sure she remembers.
Remember, the end of summer is just around the corner, and if you care for your plants now, they will reward you during that most heralded month, September.
Dee, I know how you feel about gardening mojo. I also lose mine in the middle of winter when it’s too cold to go out. I’d rather have the heat because I can work outside every morning for a few hours. (Watering that is!!) My mom actually said to me the other day, “It’s almost not worth watering anymore!” I said, “You stop watering if you want to, but I’m not going to!” I have way too many flower gardens to just stop now!!
I’m so thinking of you, dear Dee. I wilt in the heat! By August, I am getting weary and already thinking again of fresh spring. Your blue hot seat is wonderful!
Joey, some parts of OK got a lot of rain yesterday. Unfortunately, I only received a little, but that little bit perked up the garden which made me feel a lot better. Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts.
It’s a cruel, cruel summer. That’s all I can say about it. But you are so right about October being the Texas gardener’s sweet spot. I’m not counting the days (that would be too depressing), but it’s in the back of my mind that one day October will come.
Meantime, the Seattle Fling is going to give us Southerners an escape from the heat. Yippee!
Yeah, I keep thinking of your last summer series of posts about the “Death Orb.” It sure feels like one. What a summer! I am so looking forward to the cool of Seattle which looks to be unseasonably cool in fact.
Your gardening mojo is deep in your genetic makeup! Your picture look beautiful. We tend to be hot and dry, but this year we have had moisture. But, it only takes a couple days at 90s and dry wind to make it so dry.
Thank you Gloria. I think you all up in Dakota are very brave gardeners with an extremely short season. I’m glad you’ve had some moisture this year. Gardeners have to be tough customers don’t they?
Okay, so I’ll stop saying that it’s hot out there with highs in the upper 80’s and low 90’s. Does it count if i tell you that it’s so muggy here that you always feel like you are walking through hot soup?
Hey, the humidity makes everything hotter, so you just keep on complaining. Hot soup or a blast furnace, either one is the pits.
Dee, I am also from Oklahoma and remember those insufferable day after day of 100 degree days. I feel your pain! Now gardening in upstate NY. I find I have different, but just as difficult weather conditions to deal with: from ice storms that snap off last years growth, endless rain this spring causing a slog epidemic, and this week high winds that snapped all my delphiniums. Gardening is a mugs game!
Hi Don, everyone has their challenges don’t they? I don’t want upper state New York weather either. I wouldn’t know how to cope. I’m sorry about your delphiniums. That’s sad.
Oh, man I feel your pain. This is the time of year I have to dig deep to try to remember why it is that I like this crazy hobby/business/obsession. But you’re right, this fall when that first hint of cool returns to the air, I’ll say, yeah, this is why I do what I do, this is why I love what I do 🙂 Your garden still looks quite good despite the conditions. We are going on vacation next week, and one of my neighbors is going to water my container plantings. I have the BEST neighbors in the world! There are days, though, that I have thoughts of letting everything just fry so I don’t have to water it anymore or burden my neighbors. We are going to “mountains” in Georgia for our vacation — hoping it is at least a little bit cooler, then in a few weeks we are going to Wisconsin. I know it will be cooler there 🙂 Have a great time in Seattle!!
Toni, I hope your enjoy your vacation and try not to worry about your containers. I will take my own advice and try not to worry too. 🙂 Yes, in the south, the weather is very uncooperative this year, and it is hotter than normal. Ugh. We’ll get through it though.
I can understand your feelings, Dee; it’s a rare day when it gets over 100 here in Illinois. I think I would spend the whole summer indoors if it were as hot as Oklahoma! Your garden is looking lovely in spite of the heat.
I had planned to go to Seattle, but the timing didn’t work out. Enjoy the Fling–you’re going to love every minute of those cool breezes in the beautiful Pacific Northwest!
Hi Rose, it’s a miracle the garden is still alive. Very very hard on it. I have spent many days indoors because of the heat, but I go out early in the mornings and try to get a bit of weeding done. I’m so sorry you won’t be in Seattle. I was hoping to see you again.
My dear, It’s not gone~it’s just resting from the stress of this year and boy can I relate! My garden is completely stressed; the soil is cracking, bugs are everywhere and blooms are fading faster then ever before. I’ve been wondering if I should rip it all out this fall and rebuild the beds. While it might be too hot to sit in that lovely French Blue chair~It’s a beautiful sight to see. xogail
Gail, I always think about ripping things out in summer. I wonder why? Thanks for the encouragement. It’s a tough summer throughout the south.
this is funny…my sentiments exactly…I am just glad I am not the only one wanting to throw in the towel…but I keep thinking about glorious fall..even as I lose another tomato plant to the heat and the wilt.. I know that one day here in North Georgia we will have abundant rain again and the gardens will thrive once again….thanks for a great post…
Hi Mona, I haven’t had a single tomato yet. Two ripened, but the silly dogs ate them. Yes, we must just hang in there until abundant rain comes again. It did rain here yesterday, and today’s clouds are keeping the temperature down. I am grateful. Thanks for stopping by.
I understand your frustration and pain. This happens with me every year around this time and I’m always asking myself, “Why did I have the misfortune of being born in Alabama?” LOL Some relatives of mine are moving to San Diego, CA where the yearly temperature averages around 70. Does that not sound like heaven? We were under a heat advisory over the weekend and again today. The only silver lining is that we have had rain. I’ve been in your situation before though and know how sucky it is. Wishing you the best!
Hi Phillip, me too. Every summer. This one is the worst since I started gardening though. You hang in there, and I will too. I will now dream of San Diego’s lovely weather. Thank you.
That’s just not funny. I’m sufferng too now, although it’s not as bad as at your garden. It is hard to work up enthusiasm when everything is drooping or drying to dust.
Agreed!
I feel so bad for you Southerners that I just don’t know what to say. We were supposed to get rain today and now we will not. It is only 88° here yet it seems very warm due to the humidity. I can not imagine so many 100 degree days. Plants here are suffering so I can imagine your despair about gardening. Your plants look pretty good considering the temps. The temperature does not seem to affect the weeds. They are growing with abandon.
Thanks Donna. We feel bad for you when you have snowed piled against the door in winter. It’s all relative. Add in humidity, and it gets even tougher. At least most days we don’t have much humidity. Thanks for stopping by and offering encouragement.
Your plants look amazing, even with the heat. The shot of the Daylilies and Coleus plants shows that you haven’t lost your mojo. We’re hitting a heat wave here in the northern Midwest now, too, although I know it’s not as tough as 20 days over 100. You sound like me in late February, tired of the winter and dreaming of May.
Thank you so much. I am also this way in February. It’s my twice a year blues. 😀 I hope things don’t get too hot where you live too.
Love your post. I’m in central Arkansas and I feel you!!! My poor plants (especially my japanese maple) are all burning, shade or no shade. It makes me sad to look out on my garden, so I’m avoiding it. I hope all of us can get through this awful heat-induced funk 🙂
Dee,
i hear you and feel for you with your large garden to sustain during this weather. What I’m tired the most is managing a large perennial bed against a south facing beautiful brick wall. The problem is there are some trees nearby but I’m tired of managing plant selection when I’ve pockets of full sun, part sun,, part shade and full shade And it’s always changing.. I’;m sick of burning plants and generally abusing poor plants all in the name of the perfect border. But I love the challenge.
Yes Patrick, that south facing brick wall would be a problem to solve. I also get frustrated trying to manage the shade requirements. I guess you just have to let whatever survives, grow there. It’s a conundrum.
I think it looks wonderful! Though I’ll tell you, I’ve had more than one moment this summer when I said, “Ok, just let ’em die.” Oops. Hope they didn’t hear me.
Thanks Linda. I bet you have had those moments. I do every morning when I try to make sure all the containers have water. Hang in there, and I’ll see you in Indianapolis in August.
What beautiful hot summer palattes you have created in your garden. And I know how you feel. We’re at 26 days now and our normal is 12. Pretty much the same ugliness here. But I’m sweating and watering a lot by hand since we’re on restrictions. We’re still getting 2 days to water with a system, though I suspect we will be cut to once a week very soon. I have some new-ish plants in several beds, so in addition to the hose, I’m carting around the watering can for specific spot watering. Every day revolves around when I can work outside and when I will shower! Trust me, your mojo is as amazing as ever – and your garden is a testament to that. You just have sweaty mojo!
Oh Diana, you poor thing. That is so much worse than what I’m going through. Maybe would should have logo about sweaty mojo and wear it proudly to the garden bloggers fling. You are coming aren’t you.
We aren’t on restrictions out in the country, but I am trying to be careful with the well. Hang in there, it will eventually get better.
I’ve considered giving up also, at least on some plants. the Sticks on Fire needs full exposure, i think. 110 here yesterday, suppose to be that hot with wind today. yeawwh. something like that. I remember 1980, it took a hurricane to kill the heat. I’ve been telling the texans that a flood follows a drought. g
I know just how you feel Greggo. I think you’re right about Sticks on Fire. It doesn’t like the half day of shade. Well, when it’s cooler, I’ll move it back out and next year surround it with succulents I guess. I’m bringing the Sticks on Fire indoors this winter. Expensive and hard to find. Hang in there my friend. I’m sorry about the drought.
My friend, your photos are so beautiful. It does not look as bad as it really is. And that would be a tribute to your gardening and landscaping skills.
Thanks Patsy Bell. I’ll lean on your words and try to remember I’m good at this. It sure looks burned up right now.
Ugh, ONE day over 100 makes me cranky, I can’t even contemplate 50. You have my heartfelt sympathies. We’ve have what feels like 5 straight weeks of humid mid-90’s, paying for our beautiful April and May weather. In the afternoons I feel like sitting down with a bucket of iced tea and a salt block.
I hope you get some rain and a cool-off long before September!
Sweetbay, I hate to think about fifty also. That’s a bad summer. I don’t like humidity either so I feel for you. I often sit down with a bucket of iced tea. That’s for sure.
I have often felt that miserable hot weather is worse than cold and rainy for keeping you trapped inside. I hope you get some relief soon, Dee. And I agree…your garden has some beautiful spots despite the furnace effect.
Leslie, your early cold and rainy weather was no picnic either. Thanks for the kind words. It does have beautiful spots, but usually it looks so much better.
Your photos do look amazing, Dee.
Hang in there, The cooler days are coming!
You’ll be amazed at how the plants bounce back
glimpsesofglory-karen.blogspot.com/
Thanks Karen. Just remember, those are simply small frames within the garden as a whole.
Just had to mention that this post is incredibly encouraging! As a Louisiana transplant, gardening has been difficult, to say the least. This year, I thought I should just throw in the towel! But, it makes me feel better that you are feeling that way too. 🙂 Thanks!
Lori, I’m so glad I was able to encourage you. All Oklahoma gardeners are suffering right now, and as for transplanted gardeners, they are probably suffering the most. This is not a normal summer, thank God.
I’m with Carol. If those are recent photos, your garden doesn’t look like it’s suffering from a drought, even if it is.
Kathy, I can see the damage. I’m just showing you small frames of it.
It just breaks One’s heart to have such a harsh summer. The garden is suffering. It is like when your child suffers you do too. September can’t come soon enough for you no doubt. If we were gone more than 3 days or so I would bring all of my pots up to the patio so my house sitter could water them. I wouldn’t expect her to drag a hose about like I do. She is 80 years old. 🙂 She loves my garden and would probably try to do it if I asked her. I wouldn’t do that though.
All my pots are up on the deck to make watering easier. I don’t want it to be hard for my daughter while I’m out of town. I have a teen house sitter, and yours is 80? I think yours will do an even better job. 😀
I hear you loud and clear!
Hang in there. I’m looking for the glimmers of hope too but the veggies are definetely not wanting to produce right now either.
September will get here and it will be wonderful.
GSS, the veggies may be a total and complete loss. Takes time to see if it will cool down into the 90s. Veggies like the 90s. You hang in there too.
Hey, hang in there. I live in the Cave Creek, AZ desert and I have to kick myself every morning to go outside and check on things. It is 90+ @ 7AM so cheer up. This is the time of year when the horn worms (caterpillars) decide they want to chew on my datura leaves. My Daturas are the one plant that put on a gorgeous show no matter what the temperature is as long as they get enough water.
Another month or two and things will be blooming a ton.
PS – Sticks on fire – could it be not enough sun? Just a thought!
[ Jeff ]
Jeff, you’re probably right about the Sticks on Fire. I’m sure that’s it. Well, 90 at 7:00 a.m. is just plain awful. We have horn worms too, but they want the tomatoes here. The grasshoppers are eating all my perennial hibiscus. Ugh. It’s enough to make one want to stand out there with clippers chopping them in half. Thanks so much for stopping by.
I should have known when we had 2 days in May that were over 100 that we were going to be in trouble! As my hubby and I sat on the front porch the other evening, we decided it was quite sad when 95 felt cool!! I saw the drought map the other evening when I, myself, was trying to search for any type of internet hope of ever seeing rain again. People are certainly hurting in MANY places! I’m just thankful that I am only losing plants and not my livlihood! Praying for rain!!
Melanie, I know I had the same thought. Yeah, 95 feels pretty good right now. I’ve looked at the drought plant too, and you bring up an important topic. The farmers are suffering worst of all. I can still buy produce.
Amen, sister. A timely post. I was just today thinking it’s time to stop watering the veggie garden. The tomatoes are past their big show and it doesn’t look like anything else will produce this year. No sense throwing more water on things.
I’m also giving up on the rest of the garden looking good at all. I’m putting just enough water on it to keep things from expiring, but that’s it. I have never known a summer like this in all my 54 years. It will be one I’ll remember for a long time.
Seattle beckons. Please, let it rain while I’m there!
Susan, I love your “Seattle beckons. Please, let it rain while I’m there!” I’ve had the same thought, or at least let the temperatures go down just a bit. Ugh.
I feel the same way. I love to go outside and work – for an hour! Then I’m in, hiding from the heat. I think the drought has got to me worse than the heat. I’m not letting my plants die – they’re doing that on their own! I would look forward to September (well, October since I’m in Texas) but that means winter is even closer!
Yes, it’s all so hard Holley. Several of my plants died on their own too. Love your blog btw. Such a pretty header. Thanks for offering me encouragement. You hang in there too.
Hang in there. We are even starting to hope for a tropical storm to straighten things out in South Texas. I’ve been growing veggies under sunscreen shade.
Thanks Lisa. Next year, I’m going to put up shade cloth too. Such a drag.
Lovely heartfelt post Dee, hang in there. I feel this whole season is just a wash, freaky weather and too many days away from the garden. We did harvest red currants that are going into a pie of sorts tonight, and we bought tomatoes from the “hot Amish guy” today at the farmer’s market! Caprese salad tonight, cuz it’s so horribly humid.
Rhonda, I have to leave mine twice more before September. It means more weeds and such, but I’ll also love the time away. At least your Amish guy is “hot.” We do have a dancing vegetable guy up the street now. I’ve been buying tomatoes and squash from him. Caprese salad sounds divine.
I think it’s just the heat getting to you right now Dee. Hope you guys down south get a break soon. Your garden still looks pretty lovely to me. 🙂
Racquel, it probably is. Thanks for the encouragement.
Hey Dee,
I TOTALLY feel your pain. We FINALLY had rain here in Wilmington, NC after NO rain for 6 weeks, and prior to that, maybe one inch of rain. We’re down 11 inches for the year.
My veggies are basically giving up. I’ve harvested a few peppers, but that’s it. All of my squash got eaten by squash vine borer.
I’m like you–trying to hang in there until fall when things will perk up a little bit. We can do it!
Hey Katie, I’m sorry your garden is in as bad a shape as mine. We’ll both make it to September though. Have a beautiful day.
I grew up in Southern California and the weather you are having now is much like what we experienced there. Beyond hot and dry, so very dry. The only way to have a garden is to irrigate it. Sometimes, twice a day and only very early in the morning or late in the evening. For vegetables, you have to give them some shade whether it be near a tree or by using lattice or shade cloth. But you know what? Somehow we always made it to fall when we felt even our plants could breathe a little easier. You’ll make it too.
Yes, we were getting to the double dip irrigation point. I’ve only been drip irrigating four times a week, but it’s been bad. I should use some shade, but I also have a problem with a hornet in the veggie garden. Sheesh, some summers are such a drag. Thanks for the encouragement Kat.
I’m looking for my mojo, too … as you know, things are as bad in my part of Texas as they are for you! Our temps (in Katy, not at the official recording station) started going over 100 the last week of May and they continue to do so more often than not. Seattle is going to be a welcome respite!
Cindy, I think things in Katy, TX are much, much worse. At least we had the beginning of June to enjoy. I heard you actually got rain, and I’m so glad. We got a bit too.
I can relate!!! The hot, dry days brought on a wretched case of spider mites on all my roses and I wanted to cry. September is the best month here, too; hang in there.
Lara, spider mites may be next. Thanks for the reminder. I better check the poor roses.
Dee, I don’t think you could ever really lose your gardening mojo! Gardening is just too much a part of who you are. Ironically, our local garden writer (Jo Ellen) wrote in her weekly column in the Indpls Star that our rainy weather has caused some disease problems for some plants, and she showed a picture of some plants that rotted in a container that was just too wet. Your container plantings look pretty darn good, regardless.
It’s been a tough year Carol as you know. However, we got a bit of rain which helped things perk up. Now, if we could have just a bit more.