MORE EXCESSIVE HEAT

 

Spring wheat ripens in the heat

Activities out of our town base beckon, but Mike and I hastened to the farm on Saturday (July 12) with our main goal to water the raised beds. Mike attached another long hose to the cistern, which makes it easier and quicker to water the orchard with its trees and meadow plants.

Strawberry plants with their nannies

The raised bed plants were indeed glad to see me. “Arrgh! Water us,” they screamed. The tomatoes fared better than the summer squash. And even though we plant drought-tolerant perennials in our orchard meadow, I have found that most all plants do better with some water. I get no help from nature. It doesn’t rain.

Bess went through something that had us worried. We think she got stung in her mouth. She drooled, resisted eating and drinking, and was somewhat lethargic, though she did want her regular walks and to play fetch. She’s better now, but with our next farm stay, we will set up the wasp traps.

The hummingbirds were pleased to have the feeders refilled. One sat on the feeder cap this morning, waiting for me to rehang the feeder.

Good morning, Kathy

Saturday, I picked two or three cups of cherries from the Lapins tree. These were sweeter than those picked last week and a deep maroon in color. We probably did pick a little too soon, but sometimes we just have to strike a balance between ripeness and the interest of the birds. A quail flew out of the tree as I approached, and I noticed a number of pecked cherries and dropped pits.

Mike reported that he saw a herd of about 20 elk on his bike ride this morning. That’s a rare sight. And he saw some wild turkeys and deer. We see a lot of deer this year. And I saw a snake on the cistern. It was right there – and then it was gone. From my description, Mike said it was likely a bull snake.

The high was 94 at the farm yesterday afternoon. It was still 80 at 10:00 p.m. and 72 at 6:00 this morning. And now we’re back in town where it’s 100 and will likely gain a few more degrees before the afternoon is over. KW

A summer morning