...as in, the garden looks SAD. I posted months ago about the water situation in our area. Well, it's turned out even drier than I expected. I looked back through the history for our area and we had just under 1.5" of rain for the entire month of May, and none at all for the month of June (and none in the forecast). Just walking to the car saps you of all moisture and makes you feel thirsty. We had twice the normal amount of rain in March and April, which means young, tender plants got assaulted with the blight and powdery mildew that are rampant around here, then stressed with drought conditions once they were bigger. Our high temperature has been between 98 and 100 for over a week and the forecast shows 100 or higher each day through the end of June (and I'm sure long after that). We had late freezes this year too. Not fun. We've done really well with carrots, onions and potatoes. Our green beans did well and our peppers, okra and some of the black eyed peas are still very happy as it heats up. Our tomatoes are miserable. We have plenty out there, but when compared to how many plants we planted, the yield is the worst we've ever had. Usually the northern states are the ones complaining about a short growing season, but it's like we just went from winter straight to summer and as much as I like hot weather, the plants didn't appreciate it. Next year, I'm thinking we may have to steal some ideas from gardeners up north and put out everything in February.
On a better note, we got some peaches on sale and canned peach slices in half-pint jars. Those are the perfect size to open and split between the girls without any going to waste. We had been going through the fruit bowls available at the grocery store, which cost about $0.30 per 4oz bowl. Our home canned peaches end up being $0.20 per 4oz serving (and we know exactly what went into them). Then, this morning, we went to pick wild grapes a friend had found. Word to the wise, it's a good idea to wear gloves when taking wild grapes off the stems, because the acid in the skins before cooking can irritate your skin. We didn't know this until poor Sierra started complaining her hands itched. A quick google search (thank you internets!) pointed out the problem and we avoided further drama. Josh is working on grape jelly as I type and tonight we will can more peach slices and tonight or tomorrow we will use the peach skins and pits to make peach jelly. We may be low on salsa and spaghetti sauce, but we'll have sweet jams and jellies comin' out the wazoo!
3 comments:
I am so sorry to hear about your lack of rain. I didn't know you were under drought conditions.
If I could share the rain, I'd gladly do it. We have too much here! My broccoli plants are rotting because they're waterlogged. Strawberries are rotting on the plant before they even ripen.
I feel your pain. We still have tomatos out the wazoo, but they are starting to suffer and the plants sure don't look as pretty anymore. My spinach and cilantro dried up completely. And I water every, single, day! But that's why I started way early this year. Same thing happened to me last year and I was bound and determined to get more this year.
How are your strawberries doing? Mine are still doing ok, but not producing much. :( And didn't you do watermelon and/or cantaloupe too? They should be doing well huh? They thrive in this heat, if you get them enough water.
Strawberries aren't producing anymore, but the plants look like they have a fighting chance of living through the summer. Melon vines are happy, but haven't seen a single female flower (and don't think they will flower in this heat?). Come to think of it, every time I've tried canteloupe, I haven't gotten a single female flower. Must not have the magic touch ;-)
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