I had a deep thought today: 'If some of my roses were puny because they were waterlogged, how come they're not growing like gangbusters when they're dry as a bone?' Sigh...
I also ruminated on why perennials should be planted in the spring or fall, but not summer. At least I did get my cheap plants planted, but now they are pitiful, needy little things...always looking parched and whimpering for a drink of water. Unlike their established counterparts who might flag a little in the heat of midday, but perk right up once evening comes.
So, my second gardening resolution for 2011: just like mulching, I should only buy and plant perennials in months beginning with Ma and Ap. Or Se and Oc. But never in months beginning in Ju or Au. (Except for the box of daylilies that arrived today from Gemini Garden. Hmmm. Guess those might go in after tomorrow's rain, when I can dig and lift the clumps that I want to remove and pass along.)
Our water bill was atrocious this month (but honestly not as bad as I feared it might be. Then again, it was June and we were still getting rain - there's no telling what July and August might bring.) The weather forecast says there's a 60% to 80% chance of thunderstorms tomorrow, so I'll water today just to be sure. (If I don't, it won't. Murphy's Law and all that.)
The pond plants got treated to some fertilizer today - a little overdue, but better late than never, right? I was a little smarter this year...I only bought a small container of fertilizer tablets. In the past, I've bought bigger bottles because they're cheaper, ounce for ounce. But I finally got it through my frugal head that their shelf life is limited, and buying a two-year's supply is not a money saver if I have to buy replacements the next year anyway. I have just enough tablets to treat the waterlily to a second round of fertilizer late next month, and that should be all these plants need to get them through until fall. So far, two of the new goldfish have decided to do the eternal backstroke, but the shubunkins and remaining goldfish seem content and happy to hang out in their new home, and are starting to associate my appearance with food.
Speaking of which, tonight's dinner is definitely going to avoid using the stove as much as possible...grill, here we come! The only good thing about traipsing outside periodically to move the sprinkler is that a 78 degree house feels really cool when you've been out in upper 90 degree temperatures (Yes, it's a heat alert day.) Hope everyone stays cool as a cucumber. Hey look - are those storm clouds on the horizon?
P.S. The watering ritual worked - it's thundering and sprinkling.
P.P.S. Yes, I'm playing with my blog's background and header. Let me know what you think!
