On Wednesday morning I realized that this was the only day I could get the mowing done. It had last been done, partially, on July 3rd. With over 10” of rain in the last 2 weeks, the grass (and weeds) were going crazy.
It was to be another wicked hot, humid day, so I got out and got started at 7AM. I knew the grass would still be wet, but with the humidity like it is, it wouldn’t dry off until late morning. I couldn’t work when it got that hot at that time. So I knew I was in for a real job.
I also was going to have to mow at the barn, so I was figuring at least 4 hours. I was pretty close finishing just before 11AM.
I rested the rest of the day, while it rained and the thunderstorms went around us.
The Big garden is growing like mad from all the rain and the heat. Some things are rotting, but most everything is doing well. The kale has a good deal of pest pressure as does the collards. There’s little sign of squash pests so far, but I bet they come. The hollyhocks are still flowering but they need to be stood back up.
The creeping thyme lining the walkway is a buzz with pollinators of all kinds. I took this when it was raining, so there are none in the photo.
I went down to see how the elderberries were doing. This is the #3 Goodbarn elderberry and its berries are small and pretty green.
At the north end the #10 York elderberry has berries that are starting to color up.
In the middle of the row one of many volunteers has a flower.
The wildflowers have a funny configuration this year. The yarrow is easily 4½’ high and growing out of the clump are black-eyed Susans that are at least 5’ high. There are several of these clumps.
After the rain, the evening was hazy and humid.
On Thursday my new helper will be here at 6AM and I plan to have her cut down all the raspberries in the 7th Fence garden so the iris have a chance. I will continue the weeding in the Big garden and hope to get the tomatoes tied up. My helper friend will be here at 11:30 and the plan is to take the butter out, warm it slightly and press the remaining rinse water out. Then put it back in the pans to firm so I can package and freeze it.
Tom and family are coming in the late afternoon with the tractor and a canopy to start moving the sods out of the pasture garden. I sure hope they haven’t re-attached.