Monday Garden Shout-out July 16, 2012 | Gold and Brown in July: Hope for Recovery
Happy Monday! Currently, it’s partly cloudy and 81 degrees.
After nearly 3 weeks of high temperatures and zero moisture, it rained the last two nights. I hope to see the lawn recover; it’s disappointing to think about losing so much of the garden in the middle of June. Brown and gold patches streak the side yard; 50% of the ostrich ferns are burned and brown.
It’s been a month of damage control: dragging the sprinkler around the yard, using every drop of water from the rain barrel, and moving pots into the shade. Every summer brings a period of drought. Each time it happens I feel as though it’s a first occurrence, an anomaly of global warming or bad luck. I think back to the wet spring that caused the Sycamore tree fungus: the leaves falling off and taking an additional 4 weeks to recover. How quickly things change.
This is my favorite time of the year: locusts singing in the trees, daylight until 9:30 PM, hot and cool colors exploding throughout the beds. I want it to continue. The elephant ears are beginning to rise today, their large presence filling the shriveled areas of the garden. The roses need attention; something is eating the foliage; I think I’ll spend an hour or two removing all of the brown from the beds in the back. The Katsura is dropping yellow leaves; I hope she recovers.
As I look out at the fog lying across the yard, I can only imagine the temperature climbing. It’s time to get to work before it’s unbearable. The forecast is predicting thunderstorms for the afternoon. Bring ‘em on.
So, what’s happening in your garden?
I have Virginia Creeper invading my English Ivy beds. How can I get rid of it ?
Unfortunately, you will have to pull it out by hand to eradicate it in unwanted areas. It can be invasive if you’re not careful.
Dry, dry and dry. I try keeping up but our soil is mainly sand so nothing stays for long. The daylilies are spectacular right now, definitely the main focus of the garden for now.