The Trumpet Vine that's climbing up the weather vane that's seen better days.
It rained!
Yes we actually had a storm hit us
last evening and we got
3/4 of an inch of rain.
I'm so happy.
That means I don't have to water
2 or 3 times today!
Yesterday morning I took my camera out
and took some pictures around
the farm.
It was hard trying to find something
that looked nice as everything has
about dried up from the drought
but at least I got a few shots
for you.
I'm afraid we haven't been enjoying our
porch since spring as it's just
been way too hot.
You can see the dead looking grass
through the trellis.
The only plants that are doing well
are the petunia's I planted.
The perennials are looking pretty sick
with this heat.
This is how our
Lilac Lane
looks during a normal
summer.
This is what it looked like yesterday.
This is how the field across
the road normally looks
in the summer.
This is how it looks this year.
The farmer harvested the winter wheat
around mid June
but because of the drought
he has not planted a second crop.
Most of the corn planted in our area
has dried up and will only be good
for silage.
The farmers with irrigation
are the only ones who will profit this year.
Our pastures and lawns
are yellow and crunch
when you walk on them.
The picture below is how they
normally look this time of year.
The only thing in the garden that's
holding it's own is the watermelon
and melon vines.
Below is the only watermelon
that's growing and it should be
HUGE by now!
These are rare heritage Kansas Melons
below.
This one should be ripe soon.
At least the garden hasn't been a total
loss this year.
The tomato plants are HUGE
but we've only gotten
a few tomatoes from
2 plants out of the 10
we planted.
Oh well....que sera sera.
(what ever will be will be)
Hopefully when the temperatures cool down
and we get more rain we'll be enjoying
BLT'S and fried green tomatoes soon.
I hope you're enjoying a beautiful summer.
Maura :)
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23 comments:
This drought is getting to us all. It looks really bad over there. The melons sure look good though and your lane is lovely.
Cher Sunray Gardens
We have been having 15 minute to 1/2 hour rain storms in the evenings this week. They have helped some, but the grass is still brown. Today is mostly cloudy and I appreciate that also since it is a break from that burning sun. The past two summers have been brutal.
I am heading for the shore next week and that is where I will want the sun back again. Rain on a vacation is not fun.
You are fortunate to be getting any tomatoes. I still only have flowers on my vine. Not a single one producing even the slightest hint of a tomatoe. I am not going to even bother watering anymore. I usually have more tomatoes than I can use. I hope we do better next year. I am sure glad that I didn't bother with beans this year. I passed on them so I couyld get other things done rather than can every other day. But it is too hot to get anything else done outside.
The rain was extremely nice. Did you get any damage? I never did hear any wind here, but my DD had a branch down at her apartment in the city.
Hi Maura,
This heat is awful. I can't wait for fall to arrive. We have been getting plenty of rain but the heat index is so dangerously high.
Prudence sends her love, and will be back from summer camp next Friday and she has her post all planned.
Hugs, sweet friend. Be careful in this heat.
I'm so happy you finally had rain. We all have experienced it to some degree.
Do tell us, Maura how the little kittens are doing. Did you keep one?
hugs, Deb=^..^=x4
It's been hot here in Colorado and the monsoon rains have come and gone so things are dry, but not as brown as your pasture. I try to keep mine mowed so it's not a fire hazard later. The heirloom melons look interesting. I hope you'll take some pictures when you cut it open and share with us! ♥♫
Nice to have some rain! your melons are just beautiful.It was burn like this in june, but now it is raining a lot and the crops are ok. They just harvested the field next to us two days ago, on time before heavy rain.Wishing you a good day, Catherine
I think we've all been hit by this HOT weather and draught this summer, and yes, our lawns and fields are looking very much like yours.
It's the time of year, I tend to hang up my gardening shoes, and then when Fall rolls around I get the urge to plant once again.
The Melons are looking great !
We have a chance of rain today ....Yippeee !!
~Jo
We finally had rain on and off yesterday ! Things here are slowly picking up !
Nice photos , hope you get more rain soon !
This has been such a hot month. It's a good thing we had so much rain in the spring, or the trees would be even worse off than they are now. I hope your storm in headed for me. My grass is pretty crunchy right now.
Congratulations on your rain -- I know that must be a welcome relief! We have been hoping for rain for quite some time now, but with a HUGE high pressure system sitting over Texas, Mr. Weatherman says that it will be quite some time before we can even imagine that possibility. We are not just fighting the drought, but also some incredible heat. It was 111 degrees (actual temperature) where I live a couple of days ago, and since we only have two chickens to worry about, I actually have Opal and Ruby sitting in a dog crate in our family room during the daytime hours until things cool down. They were getting to be pretty miserable. I hope all of your honeys fair this summer well -- they are all so cute!
On a lighter note, I want to thank you for the music from "Miss Potter". "What on earth is that?", I wondered when I first heard it, and I hurriedly scrolled to the bottom of your blog. Well, I liked the music so much that I watched the movie today. Thank you for introducing me to a delightful movie and an amazing woman. I would have never even thought to watch it without hearing "your" music. I am going to order the Beatrix Potter books for my sweet grand-daughter for Christmas. Thanks for enriching my life with all aspects of your blog!
Maura, I shall not complain about the weather conditions here in Maine as your's are far dire. My garden's, both vegetable and flower are a huge disappointment. The growing season is slowly coming to an end so there is no replanting. Lilac Lane is a little bit of heaven on earth regardless of the weather conditions. Stay well. Sending greetings from Maine, Julie.
It has been dry here as well, in fact I think they are breaking records for heat and dryness here in Central Indiana. We only got .25 inch of rain, so I am still watering. Your melon plants look great and I bet you are anxious to eat them.
Those pictures are something from last year to this year. Hope your area gets some more rain.
Anyways the blt and fried green tomatoes sound so good that I think thats what i'm gonna make tomorrow!
Mary
I can hear Doris Day singing!!! My oh my, it is so very flat where you live!! So glad you got a little rain...hope you get more...you so need it! Thanks for giving us a look about the farm! Oh, and keep your eyes on the mail box...next week some time, I think!!
Hi! This must have been a lucky week for everyone, since while you were getting some long awaited rain, we finally got some sunshine. We had 2 days of sunshine and 80°, and last nights the rains returned. Oh well, at least we had that much. The photos of are just fantastic, I loved seeing the beautiful place that you love, such lovely countryside. What an amazing difference between other summers and this scorcher that you had. Everything is literally dried up, burned up, brown and desolate. I do remember many summers in NJ when grass was nothing but dried up brown outside the house due to the heat and little rain. As kids we tested each other's courage by walking barefoot across it and seeing who could go the furthest without complaining. :-) What crazy kids we must have been. I hope more rain will soon be on its way. I am so glad you shared the pictures with us. Have a great weekend. ~Debby
Wow! You really put it in perspective in this post. I know it has been so harsh there, but the photos really prove it. Praying for more rain for you.
I'm so sorry that your area is experiencing a drought. Here in northern IL, we've had a decent amount of rain this summer.
It's terrible how dry everything has been and how the crops are suffering. We finally got rain last night. I enjoyed all your photos. Your melons are doing great!
Wow, it's dry here but not quite to that extent. It's certainly frustrating, we had too much rain in the spring and next to nothing the last 6-8 weeks. A feast or famine year, without a doubt. Here's to next year!
~Andrea
I found your post through another blog that I follow. The title drew me in as Lilac were my grandmother's favorite. I enjoy reading about your little cottage. I know that the weather has been bruttle on most of the country. Here in NE FL we have terrific tornatic thrunderstorms, but two hours later we are walking on the crunching dead grass. We gave up watering about 6 weeks ago. It is really hot here. I might as well step in the shower before I go outside as between the temps and the humity, I am that wet within 30 minutes. We have outside cats (actually found our house to live) so I opened up a way for them to get under the house and rest in the cool earth there. Hubby told me he did not know how they figured out getting it open, but as soon as they all (3) get out he is closing it again. I told him no, not until the heat breaks so they have a cool refuge. My little 10 pound poodle terrier mix is very unhappy, as I do not allow her to go with me now. I make her stay in under a fan in the the AC. Boy when I am out I envy her. But she still lets me know that I am doing her wrong by not letting her go. As soon as it cools off, she will again be my companion on most of my surjouns. I am hoping that you will be back on your porch soon and enjoying nice weather.
Hi Maura,
I can't believe the difference between the before and after pictures. I'm so glad mother nature gave you some rain, but it might be too late for your crops. I hope you get to enjoy some of your fruits and vegetables.
Hi Maura,
Thanks for the tour around your farm. I hoping the rains come soon for you.
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