Garden woes

16 years ago

Hello to all New Englander's! It has been a couple of months since I mistakenly posted a slew of garden shots here instead of in the Cottage Garden forum.

I had fully planned to post more photos as requested (much to my surprise)throughout the summer. However, within less than a week following my grave error, a seemingly neverending heat wave struck my central CT community with a vengeance. We had one day in early July (maybe the 7th??)when the daytime temp indicated by the local tv weathermen hit 102 degrees. My property is in full sun for the most part and we always run 10 degrees higher than tv reported temps. Hence, the large thermometer on my deck indicated 112.

With little to no rain this season, my beds (not to mention my lawn) could have used several good soakings with the sprinkler. Alas, it was too d__n hot to even consider going out there. In the very early morning I would water my pot ghetto beside my deck and the numerous pots I have on the rails of the deck in which I grow my strawberies. For this, I have 2 rain barrels that I had just purchased before the heat wave arrived. Fortunately, the strawberries flourished and continue to do so (been picking since 5/22 non-stop).

My beds and my lawn have suffered like I have not experienced since I started gardening.

To say that my gardens were fried is an understatement. I know I have lost a few things--but, they are common and can easily be replaced with divisions from others located in different areas. The lawn is about to be overhauled starting this weekend (as temps will allow--Saturday should be in the 70's but Sunday brings the return of 90's and will continue well thru the week. DH took vacation time to dethatch and heavily rake (especially the dead areas) followed by reseeding. Not the kind of work for 90's.

As a result, I have had no lovelies to share. All I want to do right now is start putting things to bed for the season and hope for a return to more normal weather conditions next year. That's what gardeners do.

Thanks for listening.

Liz

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Comments (3)

vic447
16 years ago
I too am hoping for "normal" weather next year. I searched back for your pictures and was so glad that I did !!! They were beautiful, good luck with redecorating your spaces. I can only imagine how wonderful they will look next year.
diggerdee zone 6 CT
16 years ago
Liz, sounds like it's time to put in some trees or large shrubs, or even an arbor or pergola, and start yourself a nice, peaceful, refreshing shade garden! That way, despite these awful temps and the lack of rain that we've been experiencing, you will still have some garden left to enjoy. Make sure to leave room for some seating!

:)
Dee
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gardengranny2
Original Author
16 years ago
digger, I have lot of shrubs. Some are quite large like my beauty bushes and viburnums.

No large trees. Seven years ago we removed 8 enormous Norway maples and 2 severely suffering white birches. Our property was covered with tree roots from the property line on one side to the other.

A huge 50 ft. maple in the center of the front lawn totally obscured the house from the road. It was so dark and spooky feeling. Nothing else would grow because of the surfacing tree roots. We tried everything from limbing up the trees to root pruning. One year we had a lawn. But, the roots quickly returned and the grass disappeared.

We have planted a few trees expected to reach a size more suited to the style of our ranch house. No more than 15 to 25 ft at maturity. Kwanzan cherries and flowering dogwoods have not yet reached a size where they can provide any shade.

The heat this year was extremely unusual. As I am no spring chicken with a few health issues of my own, I can no longer subject myself to working in that kind of heat.

Things would have fared better had I chosen to water occasionally. But, I remained hopeful that the rains we did recieve would provide what they needed. Wishful thinking--of course.

The two 100 gallon rain barrels were extemely useful and provided what the potted plants required to remain healthy and productive.

After just returning from a brief jaunt around the gardens,
it is amazing how the weeds didn't have any problem thriving under these stressful conditions.

Liz