July 8-9, 2011

Weather

The misery continues with more hot and dry weather. It was in the upper 90s both days, although the thermometer near the roof of the garage showed 102 Saturday (in the shade, but I suspect influenced by its proximity to the roof). Fayetteville set a record of 99 on Saturday (and 102 on Sunday). We had 8-10 drops in the rain gauge, so something fell but nothing significant. I'm somewhat surprised I have been able to keep things alive with only weekly waterings.

Berries/Short Cut

Sally wanted to see the blackberries I had been bragging about getting along the short cut, so we came out that way. I was a bit disappointed, and she was less than impressed. We did find many, ate most, and ended up with 1.5 to 2 cups. Many of the ones along the road, just like at the farm, are drying up on canes that are dying of thirst (no green leaves). I picked a few cups at the farm, but nothing close to what we had last year. I was worried about my new canes dying as well, so I spent an hour or so hand watering them along with everything else.

Watering

This is practically all I got done. I estimated that I spent 3 hours each day hand watering everything -- just trying to keep things alive. I dread what August might bring.

This is the Autumn Blaze maple whose bark split over the winter, it leafed out and immediately died, I cut it off, it sprouted on one side and died, and now has sprouts coming up from the other side. I hope it survives. It was put out on Sunbridge, moved to Elm St., and brought out here in '04. I put the cage around it to hopefully keep the deer from eating its new tender leaves.

Garden

We picked chard (surprisingly it doesn't seem to be affected by the lack of water), some green beans (they are really stressed), 4 cups of basil (what Sally is doing in this picture), and a couple of jalapenos.

The tomatoes are just not doing much. I've heard that others are having problems with them as well. (It started out too cool and wet, and now it is too hot and dry.) The hornworms have shown up as well, taking most of the top of our larger plant. I picked over a dozen off, and even found one on the bell pepper. We're just hoping we don't get the blasted squash beetles, since we are counting on a acorn squash crop.

Blue Bird Nest Out Back

I checked this house thinking I would find baby birds, because I had observed the eggs over the previous two weekends. I had thought there were only three, but as you can see there are four. The mother always leaves the house as I approach -- I guess she has keen hearing. I've never seen the male. Hopefully he will be there to help feed them when they hatch. I also hope no wild critter gets 'em.