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The Farmers’ Almanac

Remember the Farmers’ Almanac? Of course, you might read it relilgiously even today, but for most people, it’s a forgotten vestige of the past. I used to read it at my grandparents’ farm in Kentucky as a child. They were farmers — mostly tobacco and corn — with a few pigs and chickens thrown in for luck (or dinner!) as it were. I didn’t much like the chickens, but I loved feeding the pigs. I have great memories of the farm, now long gone.

Well, here’s what the current Farmers’ Almanac has to say about our bizarre weather these days: Notice the repetition of the words scattered thunderstorms and “squally.” That pretty much covers it for us here in Central Texas lately!

July 2007
1st-3rd. Squally weather from Southern Rockies, with severe thunderstorms, capable of producing large hail, tornadoes, especially Texas, Oklahoma area. 4th-7th. Mostly fair, dry for Independence Day holiday. 8th-11th. Fair initially, then showery, breezy weather. 12th-15th. Fair, turning hot, with many 90s and even some 100s, then scattered thunderstorms. 16th-19th. Squally Texas, Oklahoma. 20th-23rd. Fair and hot weather, then unsettled conditions by 23rd. 24th-27th. Scattered shower activity spreads south and east to Texas, Louisiana coasts, then fair skies. 28th-31st. More scattered shower and thunderstorm activity, particularly for New Mexico and parts of western Texas.

By Diana C. Kirby|2016-04-14T02:48:18-05:00July 30th, 2007|Blog, Sharing Nature's Garden, weather|0 Comments

Lacebark Elm in Trouble

By Diana C. Kirby|2016-04-14T02:48:18-05:00July 30th, 2007|Blog, Sharing Nature's Garden, trees|0 Comments

Help!

My lacebark elm seems to be very sad this summer. I can’t tell if it’s all the rain or something else. Anyone have any idea? The tree has been here 2 years and has done very well. The problem seems to be on one side of the tree. Maybe it has two problems – something in addition to too much rain…. Help!

By Diana C. Kirby|2016-04-14T02:48:18-05:00July 29th, 2007|Blog, Sharing Nature's Garden, trees|1 Comment

Singing (or shoveling) in the Rain

First he watched two yards of dirt wash away. Then he waited and waited and waited for the grass to come. Grass that couldn’t come because it was too wet to get grass from the fields to anyone. But, miraculously, somewhere (somewhere grass was growing) there was a break in the rain and Wednesday was delivery day. Two pallets of fresh, wet, HEAVY St. Augustine arrived at my Dad’s door. So, with rubber boots, rubber gloves and some bug spray, we set about to spread fresh dirt and lay grass. The dirt was tucked neatly away in the garage – nice and dry in bags — topsoil and a healthy, albeit smelly, garden mix. We trudged through the mud with a cart and a wheelbarrow until lunch time, enjoying the sunshine. But, after lunch, the clouds returned and opened up on us. Everything is relative, though. The rain cooled things down, and cooled us down, as we set about transforming his yard for another 2-1/2 hours. Sometimes the rain stops us in our tracks. But sometimes, when you’re in the dirt and gardening, there is something refreshing and cathartic about working in the rain. It feels good to dig in and do a little manual labor and then step back and look at something of which you can be proud. My daddy taught me that, a long time ago. And it was nice to share it with him again this week. Thanks, Dad.

By Diana C. Kirby|2016-04-14T02:48:19-05:00July 28th, 2007|Blog, connecting, Sharing Nature's Garden|1 Comment

Bounty

Mother Nature’s bounty is plentiful this season. This enormous bowl of tomatoes, mostly “Porter” were begging to be picked yesterday. They are small – in between cherry tomato and roma tomato size. I’d never grown this variety before, and the first ones of the vine were unremarkable, but they are wonderful in a tomato salad – a little to soft for pico de gallo as Jeff discovered. Last night I discovered that they make fabulous stewed tomatoes – I parboiled and skinned them and mixed them with sauteed onions and garlic and herbs and froze them and they were sweet and meaty and delicious. I also picked the first of our “Bonnie” tomatoes, but have yet to taste them. I had two helpers while harvesting yesterday!