Vacations and the garden

We just got back from a camping vacation and it is amazing how the garden took off while we were gone. My neighbor took over watering duties and had the fortune of well timed rains in her favor.  After so many weeks of dry weather, she had to only water once even with the heat Milwaukee had this last week.  She should have bought a lottery ticket with luck on her side.

If you have to ask someone to water for you while you leave town, remember a few simple rules to make life easier for that person.  First, move your pots together whenever possible so they can be watered as a group.  They will need it more often so make it a quick job for your friend filling in for you.

Second, leave your hoses off the reels so they are easily moved back and forth for your water person.  If you leave it on the reel, they will feel the need to put it back, leave it out and they will do the same.  So what if you have yellow lines over your grass when you come back, It will recover.

Third, set up sprinklers in the important spots so it just requires a quick hook up and go.  If you have soaker hoses, make sure that using those are an easy task for the person taking over.  They don't know what goes where so make it easier for them.

Fourth tip: Get a quick hose coupler system so it is a quick turn of the spigot rather than connecting and reconnecting hoses.  I have one set to the front yard, one to the back, and the tomatoes are on a soaker right at this point.

Fifth and sixth, keep all the tools visible and keep the pots close to the water source.  It shouldn't be a game of hide and seek for water heads, hoses, or plants.  If you have things that need more water, keep them close to the water source so a quick hit can be done easily.

Seventh tip:  Stake the plants before you go.  Plants put on a lot of growth in a week.  Make sure they will be staked and trellised in anticipation of the growth that will take place while you are gone.  This will keep the plants up out of the way for watering as well as secure them if a wind storm should hit while you are away.  Your plants and your neighbor will thank you.
Finally, remember your friend with an appropriate gift when you return.  They did bring your garden through the week for you.

A Red Letter Day in the Garden

The heat has paid off in the first summer crop.  The beans have been growing like crazy in the heat with the supplemental watering they have been getting.  I had two full quarts in my bucket on the first picking.  We like them small and tender so this was a good amount.  Nothing beats fresh produce from garden that goes right to the stove.

 I got a little distracted with other household stuff so I cooked them longer than I liked.  I made up for that with summer butter that I picked up from a small creamery over the weekend.  Some kosher salt and fresh ground pepper topped it all off for a simple supper.

My youngest enjoyed them without cooking.  She just snapped and ate right from the towel.
I did feel a bit of melancholy with the first picking as Jake was not there to enjoy it with me.  He enjoyed the beans just as much as the rest of us.  He would wait outside the garden gate waiting for me to toss a few over the fence for him.  I will always think of him and my mom while picking beans.  
The beans made yesterday pretty good, but it got better about 7 PM last night.  I saw the clouds coming when I was driving home at 6:30 but didn't hope for much.  When the wind came with the sound of water hitting the windows we were all relieved that we were finally getting some needed rain.  The storm was a good long one that left the streets still wet in the morning.  I was happy to see my rain gauge in the morning.

Glory be!  We have a real rain and the rain barrel confirmed the rain gauge with 55 gals of fresh water in it.  It was a red letter day.

More heat, no rain

It is sounding like a broken record (for those of you who know what vinyl sounds like when it's broken) with our weather in Southern Wisconsin.  There is no vacation time without lining up a neighbor to tend to the garden while you are not.  Clouds built up on the horizon Friday to give some a tease while most sat dry after they passed.
I have found it necessary to take two things with me while watering.  I need a bucket to pull the weeds as the ground gets soft from the water and scissors to dead head everything that is going into survival mode and trying to produce seed.
Normally a single cutting on my herbs prevents them from flowering and seeding.  I think this is the fourth time I have trimmed the thyme, oregano, and mints this year...so far.
It is also necessary to dead head flowering annuals so they do not give up and stop flowering all together.  If plants start putting the effort into seeding, they slow or stop producing flower heads.
I have seen large amounts of seed production by trees this year.  Everything is going into survival mode by trying to reproduce.  The linden trees produced the largest seed brackets I have ever seen.  They looked like large white flowers laying around the trees and in the streets.  They sure have blown around in the wind with the large sails they have on their seeds.
If the grass is yellow but the weeds are green it is all about the roots.  Many weeds have a good tap root and are pulling up moisture from levels below the grass zone.  Some of the really annoying ones like burdock and thistles can be stopped in their tracks before they seed over your whole garden.  They are starting to flower now so cut them down to the base.  This will kill the plant all together in most cases.  Stop weeds from seeding whenever possible.  If you don't have time to weed the whole garden, pull out the ones that are flowering and seeding first. Do what you can as you can to save yourself from a bigger problem later.
If you are on water restrictions or your well just can't keep up anymore set your priorities in the garden.  Save the trees first.  Shrubs are easier to replace and will grow to size much more quickly than your shade trees.  I would save my vegetable garden before my flowers.  Grass is on the bottom of my list.  Choose wisely.  

Summer Lull

The garden is filling in and the pots are starting to look like show pieces.  With all the heat and dry weather, it has taken quite a bit of sprinkling to get to this point.  I am thankful for a husband who likes to take the time to move the hose around the yard during the day while I'm at work.  The plants are getting their moisture but have time to dry their leaves before bed time.  All gardeners should have a night shift worker for their watering.
I have hit the bottom of the barrel.  I have been reserving my rain barrel water for dipping my water cans in for my potted plants.  There is a bit more in there, but I have to move the can around to scoop it out now.  They say we have a "chance" of rain Saturday night.  We are not holding our breath.  Dark clouds moved over last Saturday with not a drop for our plants.  90's are predicted temps for the weekend once again.  It is almost 4 weeks since we had rain.
Some of my annuals are coming to the end of their bloom.  I will talk more about my reseeding annuals as the seed pods set and I can get some pictures for those interested in what to look for in their own gardens.  The larkspur in the picture above has green pods at this time.
I was thrilled to catch a gold finch perched on top of my "wild" sunflowers tonight.  They don't frequent my feeder but are stunning with the yellow of the sunflower and their arched bodies reaching for the seeds below their feet.  The thistles are also starting to bloom and seed now.  It is a good source for finch food, but they sure are not welcome in the lawn or garden.  Soon the finches will be gathering the down of the thistle to line their nests.  I still remember the early morning bird walks during my college summer school.  Dr. Hardin pointed out the finches up and down flight patterns as they dip and rise with the beat and glide of their wings.  I identify the finches in flight from this characteristic today.
No tomatoes yet, the fruit is setting.  I have enjoyed a couple of small zucchinis.  The chipmunks started eating the ends so they had to get picked earlier than planned.  Moving the strawberry planters into my new vertical tower has meant more strawberries for me the last couple days.  The chipmunks had too easy of access in the last locations.  They are also close to the hose, so the plants look less droopy than they have.
Time to move the hose...again.

Container Gardening...continued

I didn't like container gardening  at one time.  To me they were like needy children always wanting attention.  They wanted watering daily, sometimes twice.  They begged for fertilizer constantly.  It was like having several teenagers hanging out in my yard and making gardening life a chore rather than a joy.  Then,  I figured out where I was going wrong.
I enjoy my containers now.  They hang around are propped up on blocks and stands. They are topiaries that I carry over from year to year.  They fit into the patio areas where it isn't easy or practical to have an in-ground bed.  I can place them under or hang them from my trees.  There are a few things I have learned which make them a pleasure to have around.

Size does matter.  I have chosen larger pots which let the plants seek deep roots.  I have gotten around the "too heavy" pot syndrome by flipping another plastic pot upside down inside the larger pot.  It reduces the amount of soil I use as well as add an air gap which makes the pot lighter.
Soil matters, also.  Spending a little more on some potting mixes that have moisture retention beads mixed in or adding them yourself really do help extend the moisture content.  Slow release fertilizers will also help reduce the amount of supplemental feeding you have to do during the season.  I mix several things together including sifted compost which adds some natural organic matter to aid in moisture retention as well as feed the plants.

Line your baskets when using the coconut liners with a bit of plastic.  Punch several holes to add drainage before adding the soil and plants.  This will really help retain moisture in these baskets.  I also chose plants that like it dry for hanging baskets.  This allows me the time to let them dry down before watering again.  I love my pink ivy geraniums with the agastache in the middle.  The humming birds also like this basket as much as I do.

I also have some plants that sit right in the water and never get any direct attention for the rest of the season.  The papyrus plants as well as elephant ear (Colocasia) will do nicely in this environment.  I place the pots with the plant inside another larger pot weighted with river stones for looks and to keep the plants standing tall.  This method has kept my plants from blowing onto their sides in the water.  It also keeps the water clean of soil.

I do several herbs in containers.  Some of my annual herbs are in with the flower pots for scent and interest.  My rosemary is in a pot to make the transition back into the house easier.  There are a few herbs in my garden which are in pots and dug into the ground.  This keeps those herbs (mint family) contained to a manageable size and from taking over everything in sight.  (I also cut flower heads off before they seed like crazy.)

I like plants that vine and flower.  Three of these in containers are jasmine, mandevilla vine, and thunbergia.  The jasmine is all on its own and comes indoors every fall.  The mandevilla is also treated the same way.  I bought a second one this year in a hanging basket.  The two plants have met up and are twining up the corner of the garage. Because I didn't fertilize last year's plant much it is just starting to flower.
The thunbergia is in a service pot and I have bamboo training it up towards the fence.  If you look at the planter on the left, you will see that this one has become my favorite combination of plants.  There is Diamond Frost euphobia, lantana, ibosa vine, and pineapple sage filling up this dish.  Plastic pots are also part of my container happiness. I love the look of terra cotta, but by nature it will wick moisture out of the soil inside.  Glazed pots help reduce this, but terra cotta is also much heavier.  I have some, but do try to keep them in a spot that does not ask to be moved as much.

Today, my husband did me a huge favor and re-purposed more of the old deck into a vertical garden.  Window boxes are another of my container garden favorites.  I have my alpine strawberries in window boxes and now have a vertical tower to hold them.  I have more window boxes and plan on doing my late season lettuce in this vertical structure.  I also will be able to start things outdoors early next year in the same.
Containers can add versatility to gardening.  Vegetables on a high rise balcony are possible because of container gardens.  You can move them for different looks or to add interest to a barren concrete jungle.  When frost threatens, they can be moved indoors until the warm days of fall return, extending your season by months sometimes.  They can also be moved closer to the water source when the situation calls for this.  Experiment and see what works for you.

The "D" Word

It is hot, not a little warm, HOT!  We are on day 10 of days over 90 for this summer.  The last two have been over 100. This is Wisconsin, not Oklahoma or Texas.  We also have not had a measurable rain in recent memory, either.  We are talking drought conditions.  There are some dos and don'ts when it comes to prolonged periods of dry weather.
First don't, don't panic, yet.

If your lawn is looking more like this than golf course green it is not dead, it is dormant.  If you have reached this stage already, don't start watering now.  Your grass will stay in a dormant stage for quite awhile with amazing ability to rebound.  If you are going to start watering, you need to know the rule of long, slow watering.  Sprinkling it with a little water every day is not good.  It encourages shallow rooting and regrowth.  It may start turning green again, but if you go on vacation and stop watering, you could have put your turf grass into more stress than if you had let it stay dormant.  Turf needs at least one inch of rain a week to maintain a green appearance.  Deeper roots mean a stronger turf.  This is true for all plants.  If you are going to water your gardens a long, slow sprinkle or soak every other day or so is better than a quick hit every day.

If your plants look like this they may be dry or they may just be shutting down during the high temperatures of the day.  Plants in hot, dry sun can get all wilted.  Take a walk through the garden at night and those same plants may perk up without the stress of excessive heat and light.  If you can, water in the morning.  This allows the plant foliage to dry off to reduce disease infection.  It also keeps the area around the plants dry during the night hours which may reduce damage by slugs and earwigs.  If you are not a morning person and work full-time, this may not be an option for you.

Do use soaker hoses.  I reduce the amount of common foliage diseases on my tomato plants by watering at the roots only.  I mulch around plants as much as possible which will help hold moisture in around the roots rather than evaporating into the dry air.

Some things don't like heat.  The garden peas are on their last hurrah before dying off.  You can see the yellowing of the plants and slow death of the vines.  They don't come back from this, but they do make good compost.  After the peas are finished, add them to the compost bin for more nitrogen in the mix.  I also am adding moisture to the compost bin.  If it gets too dry, my worms will go deep into the cool, moist soil and stop working on the stuff I have added to the bin.  Don't make your pile too wet.  Worms don't like that either.  You may also start anaerobic decomposition which makes the pile smell bad. If this happens, turn it over occasionally to help dry it out.
I'm feeling a little dry myself, so it is time to see what cold drink awaits for me this evening.  Cheers!

Heat and No Rain

We have been watering a lot here in the Midwest.  After we got our 2" downpour which filled both rain barrels to over-flow, we have had nothing since.  I have drained out one barrel and am half way down the other.  This does not include all the water that has flowed out of the city water tap as well.  It is very dry everywhere we go.  Corn fields which were stunted by too much rain in the low spots last year are the best looking areas this year.  The crest of the farmer's fields are turning brown and moving downhill in yellow streaks.  It does not look good for the corn or soybean crops this year if we don't get some significant rainfall soon.
On the upside of life we have been enjoying the backyard birds this season.  The wrens fledged another bunch of babies from our backyard bird house, the sparrows in the front.  I have been enjoying a family of chickadees that found some natural shelter to raise their young, but have been teaching them to forage at my new squirrel proof peanut feeder that was a Mother's Day gift.  Up to six birds will be in there at the same time munching away on the peanuts inside.  The woodpeckers have also been hanging around more this summer with the new feeding station.  The cardinals are too large for the openings but have been doing some ground feeding in competition with the large population of chipmunks.  With all the holes they have been digging, I half expect to find the garage sinking overnight.  Piles of dirt are building up all over the yard from their burrowing.  I am not happy when the plants are uprooted from this activity.  I keep replanting and watering in the poor victims of rodent abuse.
The peas are almost done, I did leave a small group that was green and holding on to a few flowers and pods yet.  The ancho peppers were next to the variety that completely yellowed out so they and the Slenderette beans have more room and light to grow.  
I ran some soaker hoses through some of the beds to do some deep watering around the beans and onions.  The onions have really taken off in this heat.  I under-planted lettuce by the pole beans and in a couple of other empty spots.  The lettuce in the shady areas is definitely faring better than the lettuce with more light exposure (heat is also a factor).  The lettuce under the beans is also benefiting from the deep watering from the soaker hoses.
Enjoy the summer while it lasts and enjoy a cold drink in the shade.  Gardening seems to just be getting started, but I know we will be nearing the end sooner than I like.