For the first time in a year, literally, the bar ditch along the driveway has standing water. Yeah! Rain! Yeah! In the past two weeks, we've had just over 5" of rain. The first four inches all soaked in, and the last inch mostly did. I don't have a lake spreading from the bar ditch to where the garden used to be, but there is some standing water. Luckily, while we had storms with lightning, thunder, and wind, there was no hail and no wind damage, although a few branches, mostly dead ones, did come down. I don't care if the mosquitoes come out and eat me, I'm happy anyway. I don't think the water will stand long enough for that to happen, unless we get more rain.
In my wet area along the bar ditch, the swamp roses are really happy, and the wax myrtle is blooming too. The bog sage is dancing in the wind, showing off blue blooms, the Texas star hibiscus is shooting up, the Louisiana iris is blooming, and the violets are perky.
The only down side to this is that the poison ivy is taking off, since it loves moisture. I had my annual war with the poison ivy under the swamp roses today, ruthlessly ripping it out. Since it was not hot due to the rain overnight and early this morning, I wasn't miserable in my long-sleeved shirt, sweat pants, high socks, gloves, snood, and hat. Because it has been so dry, I only got one garbage can full, compared to several the year we had 50" of rain. I try to fight this war a little later usually, and wait until the swamp roses stop blooming, because I prune them up, taking off the bottom branches that skirt the ground at the same time. However, conditions were perfect for the war, with moist soil and a relatively cool morning, so I attacked. This skirmish was the first of the year, because the cows on the other side of the fence ate it down earlier this year. If it's a dry year, there won't be another till next spring, when the poison ivy comes slithering back across the property line. If it's a wet year, the war continues, with battles fought as necessary. Since there's a stand of poison ivy across the fence, not on my property, the war is never over, but I refuse to surrender.
Standing water - Yeah!
Bullnettle--
Had an early morning repeat of last Saturday morning here this am...nothing quite like being awoken at 6:00 on Saturday morning to thunder shaking the glass in the windows. We had much heavier rainfall and much greater winds with this one, however. No major damage but did spend 2 hours this morning tying up tomato plants, vines on the arbor, re-weaving the rangoon creeper thru the lattice it grows on, staring at my about to be harvested festina bush beans laying flat on the ground (they did perk back up by late afternoon), and picking up all the plants in pots waiting to be planted that blew over. I needed to be weeding (but at least when I get the time the wet ground makes that chore easier) and planting the multitude of RU plants and recently purchased nursery plants I have. But I am eternally greatful not to have to re-roof my house or anything like that could have happened.
I hear we are in for round 2 down here late tonight or early in the am. But I'm not going to complain, the entire state is so low on rainfall after the last couple of years that I'm thankful for every bit we get.
We are a tough breed of gardeners here in Texas...we will battle on Bullnettle. And for those of us closer to the coast, hurricane season is nipping at our heels. I vow, this year, to have plywood cut for all the windows and those black clippy thingys bought from HD by the end of the month. And enough supplies to last for 3 weeks. I don't need to evacuate (and didn't last year) but I do need to prepare in advance.
Debbie
Debbie, I was thinking about the plywood and clippie things earlier today. Where in HD are they found?
Bullnettle, I have to get started on my first skirmish for the year with the poison ivy, too. Maybe tomorrow.
I'm not sure Maggie--just ask one of the contractor's that are hanging out there all the time getting supplies. That's what I do...they know what's there and where it is better than the employees, in my opinion. I'm sure lowe's and ace hardware's also have them if one of those is closer.
Lol, so I'll ask, "Where are those black clippy things?" and they'll know what I mean. (They probably will, I imagine lots of us are set on being more prepared for hurricane season this year.)
Works for me Maggie--helps if you bat your eyelashes and pretend to be stupid. Men really are happiest when they think they are helping.
;)
LOLOL!!!
:-)
No rain here since early Saturday morning but I saw the radar of other parts of Texas getting rain again today....
I'm feeling the inevitable end result of that water now. The skeeters are horrible. The chiggers are starting up. Help! Itch, itch, itch! I hate it!