The 2024 Garden Year
January 19, 2024 January Our year started with snow, ice and frigid temperatures in mid-January. Our temperatures stayed below freezing for almost a week. I think it was the most consistent cold that we've experienced since moving here. Fortunately, it was a dry snow so there wasn't too much damage. Once again, we almost lost the azara and I'm afraid there would have been some breakage if I had not kept knocking the ice off. February 14, 2024 February In past years, it seems that inclement weather seems to hit around Michael's birthday in mid-February. After the January snow and ice, this month was actually quite tame. Nothing exciting to report - mostly birdwatching . Early flowers like hellebores, cyclamen and crocus begin to bloom in mid month. March 3, 2024 March I got into a walking routine which I'm happy to report I am continuing this year. You get to the point where you feel guilty if you miss a day. I do miss days occasionally but I'm learning that ...
Yeah the rain! It is missing us. I got my little rain gauge from a nursery for about $7. It is large so I can see it easily and I have close to the front door. You do need one but I bet Fay gave you enough rain.
ReplyDeleteI have seen nice gauges at Cracker Barrel and Tractor Supply.... We have two and compare the levels. So far we have only had 1 and half inches from Fay but she is still hovering around us so we should get a bit more today and tomorrow....
ReplyDeleteAh, that rain sounds so blissful. I went home and watered at lunch. If I can remember the rain gauge I saw a while back I will let you know.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Philip
Congratulations on your rain. Fay (or what is left of her) is supposed to arrive here on Thursday. Fortunately for us, we have not had the drought of last summer, but we have not had a good soaking in several weeks either. What is really unusual is that we have only had a few days where the temps got to 90, and nothing over that. Global warming?
ReplyDeleteI have to second that thank you! We got almost 3 inches over the last two days. We really needed it!
ReplyDeleteSO happy to see the weather map showing rain drops falling on Alabama and other areas of the South.
ReplyDeleteI have a very simple rain gauge that I bought for $2 at the supermarket . It even came with a little one inside it that had a spike so as to stick it in the lawn and measure the water delivered by the sprinkler.
My farmer father used to call rain " poor man's fertilzer. " Bet your garden is much happier. Everything just seems to perk up after a good soaking rain.
If it's any help, we got an inch and a half near Forest Hills School. And slightly less than a half inch the day before....at last!
ReplyDeleteWe got two days of rain from Faye too. It drains off so fast though so no damage done.
ReplyDeleteI just set out a few deep cups in one of my raised beds so they won't fall over, and that gives me a good idea of how much rain we had. Not scientific, but it works for me.
Yipeeee Good for your garden Phillip. I can feel your relief.
ReplyDeleteIf you have a Tractor Supply or TSC store that the farmers in your area frequent they will have a rain gauge that works.
The best rain gauge is your plants. THey will tell you if they need water or not. However it is fun to watch how much your actual garden gets.
Funny you should write about needing a rain gauge; this is the first season where I have wanted one. Rain in Nashville is measured at the airport and we are 30 minutes from there and our weather is often different!
ReplyDeleteAside from that, I am happy that fay gave our gardens some much needed rain. The shrubs are all standing up and smiling!
gail
It's good to know you got rain, Phillip - and who knows where the next couple of storms will land.
ReplyDeleteI think our raingauge came from Lowe's but they might be too busy preparing for the Christmas decorations to restock garden supplies.
We don't have cable so I'd never heard of "Sordid Lives" until Iowa Victory Gardener talked about it a few days ago...apparently it's a rich source of quotes for all occasions!
Annie at the Transplantable Rose