Twenty-three is the number of consecutive days that the official temperature reading at the DFW International Airport has been 100 degrees or more. The only reason I know the number of days is because the summer heat is the lead story on almost every local newscast.
This photo of my front yard prairie was taken about 43 days ago. I think that was around the last time it rained here, give or take a week. The prairie was so colorful and full of life back then. It was really pretty.
Today, the prairie is much less colorful than it was a few weeks ago and not quite as pretty. The hot summer months are my least favorite months for prairie plants because this is when they do what comes naturally and go dormant to semi-dormant until cooler weather and rain returns. I do irrigate my prairie on occasion to keep the plants on the green side of dormancy. But this is Texas and we are in a drought. Plants are supposed to be dormant under these conditions. Anyone with a lush, green lawn and garden right now is probably using too much of our precious drinking water for irrigation.
The high temperature forecast looks like a UPC code for a big box of hot. The heatwave continues...
23 and counting...what a catchy title.
ReplyDeleteBefore I clicked on your blog I was guessing:
1)the number of flowers in bloom in your garden
2) the number of species of butterflies you've recorded this year
3) the number of people that have stopped by and said how nice your prairie garden is looking even in the drought
We saw rain come and go yesterday. It got dark, but we only got a drop or two.
I'm posting soon about my continued mindset that Houston is now west of an imaginary line that calls for the same drought tolerant plants as Austin or Waco. Not everyone will admit that, but I've been making the shift 'west' for about 7 years now.
Hang in there.
David/ Tropical Texana/ Houston
That's funny about the UPC code. So true, alas.
ReplyDeleteDavid, I prefer any of your possible 23s to mine. I spent all day out in the heat yesterday and I was really feeling it by the end of the day.
ReplyDeleteThe weather seems to be doing some odd things these days. At least you are preparing for the possibility of a drier future and your plants have straw hats to shade them from the sun.
Collagemama, did you notice we will have a cool down later this week? Only up to 100 for a high. What a relief!
I just found your blog through David/Tropical Texana, and really love your prairie lawn! I am wasting some time before I head back out and face the heat again. I look forward to reading more of your blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, HolleyGarden. I went through a few posts at your blog. You have quite a collection of roses and other flowers in your garden. I will be sure to check in again. Be careful in that heat!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog! I found it yesterday via David at Tropical Texana. Love your prairie, I'd like to try that when we get a permanent home. I love any plant that is drought tolerant!
ReplyDeleteI love that...big box of hot!!!! Funny :-) Laughed out loud on that one! I just got back from 10 days out of town and was kind of shocked when I got back. The garden is certainly "tired" looking, to put it mildly. Might need to rethink a few plants. My only consolation is that we are just a few days away from breaking a 100-degree streak record, so hopefully this is not the norm, and next year will be better...hope, hope.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary. Thanks for dropping by. Drought tolerant plants seem to be more important these days of drought.
ReplyDeleteToni, I hope your plants recover. The latest forecasts indicate 106 for Tuesday and 107 for Wednesday. I remember the streak of 40 some odd 100 degree days in 1980. I hope we don't break that record.
OMG...I don't now how you manage...still...your garden continues to persevere...and I think it looks amazing...especially given the circumstances!
ReplyDeleteScott, the garden actually does look pretty good compared to some of the yards of my neighbors who have given up on watering.
ReplyDeleteWe are now at day 31 of 100+ degree temps and expecting 110 degrees this week. This heat can take its toll. I spent too much time in the afternoon heat yesterday and today I was wilted like some of my plants.