Submitted by Sandie Griego on Sun, 07/12/2015 - 19:03
The weather here has finally turned into a normal Summer. We have had record rain in North Texas that has fill all our lakes and has caused flooding in some areas. In preparation for our normal water restrictions, I have installed three rain barrels since last year. It was a surprise to me how quickly they fill up. Due to the amount of rain we have received and the continued rain through June, I have not had to water much so far this year.
I had high hopes for my vegetable garden this year. We did a lot of work last year - putting in more beds, separating it from the grass, and more compost bins. I was able to plant early and the rain made it grow. It looked wonderful. Then the sun came out and cooked everything. What wasn't cooked, was eaten by the birds, rabbits or squirrels.
So this was my pity party. Now for the bright side.
I came to the realization that my garden was not a flop this year. I have spaghetti squash and carrots in the freezer. I had a great harvest of new potatoes. I have canned jalapenos for my hubby. The garlic is dry and hanging. The okra is producing as are the bell peppers.
I think I am missing my tomatoes - the birds are eating them green off the vine. I keep trying to think what I can do to make things better. Everything I can think of is an enormous amount of work. Fencing off the garden from the rabbits is almost impossible or erecting a frame to keep the birds out is equally difficult. I am probably going to have to accept the fact that I have to share with these creatures.
On an even brighter side, I have friends and neighbors who have shared plants with me. I had tiger lilies and iris blooming in front of my house this Spring. I have lambs ears around my trees. A neighbor was digging up just a ton of cannas and offered them to anyone who wanted them. I place two of them where I had to dig up roses due to the rosette disease plaguing the Dallas area. These yellow cannas are now blooming outside my bedroom window and they are wonderful. I also got one red canna and it looked like it was not in good shape. I had a corner in my yard, under the utility room window - beside the dryer vent - that nothing would grow, not even grass. I figured, what did I have to lose. Guess what? It is thriving there. How great is that?
I love when things flower in my yard. I miss my roses.