Only a 20 % chance today! So make it a good one! Well, let's face it, summer's here and the plants are just gonna have to make do with less frequent watering soon. The blooms are slacking off already and a couple small plants gave up and died this week. No room here for wimpy plants, I say! I need die-hard xeriscape plants! Well, okay, I can baby a few plants....maybe.
Texas heat
lol . . . well it seems like the rain gods have forgotten about this part of Texas this time around. You can take that 20 cents (as my grand dad used to call it) worth of rain chance and a nickel and still not get a cup of coffee.
Oh . . . while I'm here . . . are there any south Texan's that know much about the Pygmy Date Palms? I've got one that needs to be relocated and posted a question in the Palm section, but not sure if anyone around here checks that area.
Thanks,
GD
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/619283/
Hey...by the rain gods...its sprinkling outside! Kinda blustery and dark too...I'm going to grab a gourd rattle and kick up a leg or two myself..lol
I've never heard of a pygmy date palm, GD. Of course, my botanical knowledge is much limited compared to others around here. Being new to this thread thingy....someone, somewhere will share some info with you. I'm trying to find out if anyone else has a turtle back plant...which, tho I have no children, I'm a proud parent of a plant that I raised from a seed, lol. May start a thread on that one....lol @ LindaTX8, I warned the neighbors about planting petunias, begonias and diffenbachias in this treeless and arid development. Well, we have trees...but alas they are all younglings planted by the builders. I cringe at night thinking of the tree decimation that it took to build our development. :.( I can only plant xeriscapes right now to try and give something back to the critters. GD, you are incredibly lucky to be surrounded by such stately and storied trees.
See there . . . I knew it . . . I dance and she gets the rain :P
I must admit, I'm in that same boat when it comes to 'know'n all about plant names and suck', I have likely seen most of them but hey . . . I'm lucky to remember my own name, much less the names of thousands of plants. lol
I don't know that I've ever heard of a Turtle Back plant, may have seen one but I'd have to see a pic to know for sure. Glad to hear you were able to raise one from seed tho :)
Sounds like me . . . my kids are my pups and I guess I've raised a few dozen types of plants from seed over the years. (veggie garden included)
I agree about me being very lucky to have all these wonderful Oaks out here. Not sure what part of the hills you're in, but most of that area was covered in beautiful Oaks and Cedar before the bulldozers were turned lose up that way. Sad to see how they do all that. You'd think they'd have better since, but nooooooooo!!!!!
So did your gourd rattle'n and leg shake'n produce anything more than the sprinkles you reported up your way?
lol GD, all that I managed to do was shake a salt shaker and waggle my big toe...and what do you think? Nuthin'...it must have been a flock of grackles flying over my little house..lol Still dark and blustery tho.
Yeah, I'm outside of Loop 1604 near Helotes..and I remember the destruction in the 80's when they enlarged the loop. Just awful.. San Antonio has a terrible reputation for not being a "green city." Quite a shock after coming back to Texas after Boston. Sure, there is sprawl there too...but those yankees are a bit more careful about land development and forest protection. Austin is "sort of" like that too...just a bit more aware then SA. Tho I'm proud to say that they opened up Government Canyon Natural Area just a few miles shy of my little casa. Quite a large area at the foot of the hills...
ahh ok . . . I used to know that area fairly well . . . I lived, what was considered then "way out" Babcock (past Heubner) several years back and had a few friends out in the Helotes area. Heck we may have gone to different schools together ;)
Agreed, Austin seems to be a little more 'aware' in that sense. It's a shame to see the development of such a beautiful area. I remember when there was nothing but trees and a few open fields on Bandera Rd. between Heubner and Helotus. Not the case today!!!
lol @ grackles . . . now ya KNOW ya gotta shake more than a salt shaker over there if you want more than grackles :p
Well, we had one of those little popcorn showers over here in the sticks! Didn't last 5 minutes, but might have done some good anyway. We've been fairly lucky here compared to some other places. Lakehills, not so far away from me, seems drier this year in comparison. So I'm grateful that during a drought, we have a little rain on occasion. As a child, I lived through the 50's drought in Texas...now THAT was a drought! I remember all the dead vegetation!
*sigh* Another day...a few more clouds....another soaker hose a'goin'.
I watered my live oak younglings this evening and as I looked down the street, I noticed that everyone was doing the same thing. All down the street I could hear neighbors asking the same questions, "is it going to rain?" "did it rain at your house?" "I heard it may rain!" "are you letting your back yard just go?" "did someone say rain?" "did you know that there is a guy named GD who'll do a "neekid(sp) rain dance?!" lol...ahh..you know what I mean..May the powers that be prove more fruitful on the morrow...
I've seen some pretty awful droughts myself...LindaTX8, tho a child of the late 60's and 70's. Its a terrible thing to behold...especially for cattle out in the deep brush country. I've seen prickly pear needles burned off just so that cattle could have SOME sort of moisture... :o
Poor ole cow noses stuck with multitudes of cactus needles...
Kool deal Linda . . . glad ya got at least a little shower. I heard that some areas got a bit more. . . lucky them!
Hey now TxT. . . I hope you plan on pass'n around your (collection) hat if I've gotta do my special dance for the whole neighborhood :P
Likewise, I grew up in that 60/70 era and have been behind a pear burner on many occasion. The bad thing about that is . . . once you get those cows used to eat'n burnt pear, you've gotta keep burn'n it if the grass don't return - or they'll think it's ok to keep eat'n it :(
Hey Guys,
Ahve ya'll had any rain in Central Texas yet? We'll be vacationing at Lake Buchanan on July 12 and I'm curious how low the lake might be. Hopefully, ya'll have received some relief.
Try this website....gives the lake levels for all the Highland lakes
http://www.lcra.org/water/river_report.html
Thanks BigBubbles! Just what I needed to know.
Zone 8a, Heat Zone 9, Lake Sam Rayburn, Deep East, Pinney Woods, TX
I agree with what "Barbur" in Port Lavaca, TX, Zone 9a said: "Bloom where you're planted". I try to select landscape plants which are well adapted to my specific climate. Mulch deeply (4-5") with pine straw, use soaker hose in early morning. Also, try to get TEXAS SUPER STAR plants that Texas A & M do field testing on for heat tolerance, drought, insect, fungi resistance, etc. If the plant passes their "field test", then it is classified as a "Texas Super Star". All my "Super Stars" are proven winners/keepers.
Google TEXAS SUPER STARS for nurseries which carry top quality plants for Texas.
Keep those hands dirty. :)
Actually its been really nice for June 27th here--low, low humidity--been able to stay outside almost the entire day...hoping for one more good one tomorrow.
Every day is a blessing that isn't high humidity. I can stand any temp as long as the humidity is below 30%. When I lived in San Angelo, it was ghastly heat, no humidity though, and it cools off after the sun goes down. I never have gotten used to "wet air" as opposed to "dry air". I'm just so grateful those 100's let go and let us have a reprieve. We were suffering around here and I dreaded going into the long summer w/temps already that high. I had fears of 1980 again. I truly don't think I could live through another heat wave like that. We had 70+ days in Dallas over 100, broke the streak, then back at it again for another 30+ days. It was grueling.
hilary
I'm with you there Hilary, I was living in Houston back then. In fact, I was working at a t-shirt shop and we printed (and sold quiet a few) T's that said "I survived the 1980 Heat Wave!"
Hope'n it won't get like that ever again!!!
I second that! Wasn't it the pitts?!
Oh my, it's 103 out there and forecast to do the same all this week. Yikes, hold onto your ice... Looks like another "1980" in the making. Only this time, it looks like we're including the whole nation. Geez, please tell me I can live through this.
Hilary
I don't know if I just feel it more as I grow older or what. I'm native Texan to the core...I only left the country for a few years and have never lived in another state. So guess what? I've only seen snow on very rare occasions. Cold...to me any temp below 50 makes me shiver and my nose starts running (I'm allergic to cold...honestly!). Doesn't help me tolerate heat, however. Heat and drought is part of Texas...especially some parts of Texas. Now we have global warming. No doubt about it, the temperatures are getting higher every year. Water restrictions are here to stay. I just wonder what will happen when someday it gets so bad they tell people they can't water outside at all. Ouch!
Yes, we are having serious heat, we got up to 105 today, we were out shredding plants, and thank God for the shade, but the heat was still brutal.
We got it done anyway.
I have had to mulch my flower pots and put saucers under them to hold water, never had to do that before.
Josephine.
Indeed it's been more than hot down here too . . . remember to drink plenty of fluids and take lots of breaks out there folks ;)
Well Cher.. its hot in Louisiana too! I'm close to the Texas line and frequently lurk on this site since it gets lots of responce.
It is hot and muggy over here but we did get a heavy rain storm last night and this part of the world is now a sauna. Hot moisture seems to come from everywhere. Some plants are happy, some are soggy and some are just confused and I am too. The birds are happily and singing and playing in the hot water puddles.
You have every kind of weather in your giant state.
Verey lovely, for a hot humid place you do excellent job. Keep up the good work.
Josephine.
ssdogwood- don't lurk, join in. Lake Charles and Houston are so much the same in terms of weather.
Don't know about the rest of you, but this Sauna is getting to be too much. I am wondering what it would be like if I put about 6 gigantic fans on my lot and had them blowing in all directions! Or what if I bought a bunch of portable AC units and had them all over my lot? Or what if I just upped my medication and stayed inside and had some iced tea?
Has anyone seen the outdoor fans for the patios? I've been trying to find one that will mount on the wall like some of the resturants have on their outdoor patios. Not the great big commercial types. I don't want to get the one that is on a stand. That would mean having to eliminate some plants. I saw one the other day at Lowe's that is a column with lights around the top but it was well over 200. Can't use a ceiling fan either.
No, but I have seen several "misting" products. Some are do it yourself, others are done by "professionals". They say that the less humid the area the better they work and in ideal situations can lower the temp in your yard/on your patio, etc by 10 degrees or so.
It is 100 deg. today on my front porch. That's in the shade. It was 102 yesterday. Hot Hot!!
My plants still look okay. I water them every single morning. By 2:30 pm every day two of the gardens are in the shade. The others get shade by around 4:30 pm. The roses are in full sun and are still looking good. Don't know how, but they are.
Iced tea sure tastes good right now! I've got to go and get my hair cut real short. *g* No way can I keep a nice hairdo in this heat and humidity. I look a fright when I come in from outside. LOL
Lin
ssdogwood, I'll trade you your sauna for my dry blowing winds. My garden looks like someone poured boiling water over all the plants. I have NO shade in my garden. The idiot that ran the "dozer" clearing my lot thought it might be fun to mow all my trees down even though I had them all tagged. He didn't think the builder could possibly build my house w/all those trees. I won't even tell you what happened when I came home from Dallas and saw that. I cried, then I boiled, then he found out just what a "lady" was capable of. As a result, instead of 50 yr. old trees, I have NONE. Its blazing saddles around here. I try to make lemonade out of the situation, but Mother Nature sure isn't helping me this yr. We have miles of shadecloth draped all over the place. Looks like the Beverly Hillbillies live here just trying to salvage anything at this point. My puter says it's 102 now w/108 heat factor. That just isn't for humans or animals alike. Sorry for the ranting.
hilary
Hilary that's really a shame about your trees. :( Especially old mature trees. Can't imagine what HE was thinking!!
I hope your gardens survive the heat. We are getting thunder and wind right now. Sure hope some rain to go with it.
Lin
Outdoor fans. We got ours at Home Depot a few years ago, black, mount on the porch ceiling. Haven't had any problems!
Hilary what a creep, your dozer gy NOT you. Sorry about that. I do suffer w/ the same here- living in a new subdivision w/ no trees, it's awful! I like your description of your yard: "Looks like the Beverly Hillbillies live here..." Too funny, but the situation is too sad!
Hilary, I lost all my big old trees due to a hurricane last year and it was horrible. My yard looked like a parking lot. You can replant and try new designs but a tall mature tree cannot be replaced. I miss the sound that they made just as much as the shade.
You just to ahead and rant all you want than start planting those trees. We hired a landscaper and the yard is very nice. I count my blessings that we still have a house.
We had another powerful thunderstorm this afternoon. My shade tarp and some plants were blown down and the electricity was out for a couple of hours but the temperature was livable . It will really be a sauna tomorrow.
Dogwood
thanks for understanding. SSdogwood, I'm sorry you had to witness the ravages of a hurricane. I feel foolish complaining about heat when others don't even have air conditioning in their homes. We are all very lucky we don't live in some of those horrible conditions we find some of the more unfortunate people in our country. I'm worried about a garden and they worry about the next meal. I'll shut up now. You have had to deal w/much more than I.
hilary but I would be ever so grateful if you'd blow that cloud my way. I'd be so happy to feel a cool breeze about now
Hilary
no one thinks you would put your yard problems above the more serious problems that those less fortunate have to deal w/. All of our problems, whether serious or not, deserve a voice if only to keep us from exploding.
April
Indeed April . . . if those would have been my trees that guy mowed down, I'm afraid there would have been more than some choice words for him!!! IMHO - Old trees are very special and deserve the same respect as any other living creature around.
Well folks . . . it looks like it's gonna be another hot one down here . . . drink lots of fluids if you're gonna have to be out in it and try to stay cool. :)
I will be working at the Veterans Park Wildscape today, but only for two hours, we probably will be watering and weeding.
Josephine.
You know there is something satisfying about weeding. I hated it as a kid but really seem to enjoy it now.
Have fun.
This is the info I read about outdoor cooling
http://realestate.msn.com/lawns/Article.aspx?cp-documentid=568547
RAINING HERE!!
This message was edited Jul 18, 2006 12:04 PM
I agree about weeding. Last summer while visiting my DM I would get up in the morning and go into her garden and pull weeds. She would fuss, "You don't have to do that, you're on vacation." I don't think she believed me that I really enjoyed it. Of course it was a lot easier to pull weeds from her sandy soil than it is from my clay soil here in Texas. : )
The heat here is awful, many plants starting to look scorched. : (
It was 102 over the weekend.While working in the yard I took a towel, lined it with some ice cubes, wrapped it up and secured the ends with rubber bands. I wore that around my neck. It helped.
Smart idea Dawn!
During my dad's last 6 mos alive I visited several times and cleaned up his yard. His wife wasn't really capable of doing it and he had taken such pride in his yard the last few years of his life- never grew anything before that, it had always been my mom. Even though he didn't see my work, he knew I was doing it and I know that he apprciated it.