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A Closer Look at Winter Damage

But first, take a look at this gorgeous rainbow that we had on Friday! The five-day stretch of warm temperatures last week really jump-started the garden. Now that plants are putting out new growth, it is easier to see what kind of damage the winter left. Back in mid-January, we experienced five straight days of below-freezing temperatures. This caused much damage in Portland and areas where frigid winds were a factor. Here, we were fortunate to not get the wind and the cold temperatures were dampened by a blanket of snow. That said, it was a tough time for the garden and there are noticeable casualties but no outright deaths that I have seen. The bottlebrush ( Callistemon 'Woodlander's Red') did not like the cold at all. It was planted six years ago, in the north-facing garden no less, and I've not experienced die-back on it until now. A local expert said to cut it all the way back so that is what I did. If it doesn't make it, I won't be too distraught. It is

Dog days of summer

What exactly are the dog days of summer? I've always heard that they are the hottest days of the year when the heat make dogs go mad. Dog days are actually associated with the Dog Star, Sirius, the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major (Large Dog). At certain times of the year, Sirius is in the sky at the same time as the sun and ancients believed that it caused hotter weather.  According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, this period lasts 40 days, beginning on July 3 and extending through August 11.

As much as I despise the summers in Alabama, this one has not been as bad as some. In fact, this week has been almost pleasant and today it was possible to stay outside for longer than 10 minutes without feeling that you'd stepped into your own personal sauna. We have also received adequate rainfall although people in some neighborhoods have not. It is very hit and miss and whatever forces are responsible, I thank them! Our ground is actually damp from rains a few days ago. And the weathman says cooler temperatures are on the way. I love it!

There is not much going on in the garden but lots of green. Weeds are abundant and the holly hedge from hell needs to be trimmed. If this nice weather continues, I'll get out and tackle it before I have to head back to work in a few weeks.




















Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Those tomatoes look spectacular!

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  2. Your garden looks quite happy with the way summer has gone so far too. The weeds here are what have thrived best. The dogs have been turned loose here it seems as the weather has cooled. It feels wonderful. I will begin the attack on the weedy areas this weekend. Cheers. Enjoy the rest of your vacation.

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  3. Oh - for shade at this time of the year. What a beautiful tour of your garden.

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  4. It's been hot here! I love your yard and the pops of red are perfect!

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  5. The rustic arbor looking down the path looks inviting and cool.

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  6. I got off work late yesterday just as the sun was going down trying to do some weeding and was almost carried off by mosquitoes. Insect repellent, fabric softener sheets, aren't working on what I have. Vicks vapor rub works on the little tiger skeeters out during the day, Reminds me I need to check on my tomatoes in the lower 40. I took over the veggie garden in daylilies & iris. The hummers have found the new feeder hanging from the pergola, so I'm going to sit comfortably in a chair and see if I can get some more pictures. Mary

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  7. how on earth do you have such gorgeous tomatoes? Mine get eaten on the vine while they are still GREEN!

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  8. Lovely! The garden looks wonderful in spite of all the heat.
    LOVE that wall you painted as a background.

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  9. Your garden looks so lush, unlike mine which is beginning to go brown in our dry heat... Love your begonias (are they begonias?).

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  10. From one hot-summer-hater to another, I have to say your garden is looking splendid. I envy you your recent rains but am glad you guys are not in a drought this year.

    I've been wondering whether you decided to move or stay put? I remember reading about it a while back, but maybe I missed a post about it since then.

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  11. Impressive tomatoes and everything else looks great too!!

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  12. Your garden looks great and lush green to me!

    We finally got a bit more rain this morning and cooler temps. No 100+ in the next week and our meteorologist thinks those are gone now. Rain has been hit or miss here, too. We were in the "miss" category for July.

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  13. Utter charm is what is abundant and overflowing in your beautiful garden Phillip . . . so glad you are having enjoyable temps. We are having cooler days and nights here too. Lovely.

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  14. Very lovely, impressive yard you have. I know how hot & humid Alabama can be, many times could have melted on the spot visiting our relatives residing in Gadsden.
    I am NOT a summer lover either.


    Lexy

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  15. Your dog days look a lot better than mine Phillip! We are the spot where there has been no rain. Well, every now and then we get just a dribble to keep the weeds happy! One realy good thing...we had figs from our fig tree today! They were perfect!!
    Love the photos, looks SO inviting!

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  16. I love the lushness that your rains have brought, but I imagine your gardening skills have just as much to do with that as the rains. We have been fortunate here as well with regular moisture and seeing what has been happening in Texas, Oklahoma and in other places, makes me grateful.

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  17. Your garden is still very beautiful! Leaves are falling already in mine, and it's looking bedraggled and weedy. It has been unbearably hot and humid here for the past 3 weeks or so. I couldn't bear to be out in it. The humidity finally broke this morning, and there was almost a nip in the air. I'm sad that the season is ending - can't wait until next spring.

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  18. It's so good to see your garden refreshed and thriving, Phillip. I hope you have some cooler nights to go along with the cooler days, too!

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

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