The long, hot summer has taken a toll on everyone’s yard and gardens. Over the long haul, if every summer is like this, we’ll have to change what we can plant and grow. I’ve spent most of my home time watering – and it looks like I’ll keep doing that at least through this weekend.
The newer collard leaves don’t have so many bug holes – I’m wondering if the heat got to them. And I’m loving watching the feathery asparagus get big and healthy looking – that means a great crop next spring! Plus rhubarb – I added that to the garden this year, looking forward to next spring.
What nearly got to the impatiens this week was an 8-point buck. I’ve kept them sprayed with deer repellent, but he was considering ignoring it. In the front snake bed, he was eating plants around the flowers. But when he walked up to the back yard, he ate a lot of tree leaves – and then suddenly dipped his head to take a snip of impatiens. I was standing at the door watching, and just said loud and clear – No.
We stared at each other for several minutes, he considered dipping his head again. I moved my foot. He decided that he would move on.
I won’t spray them again, all those beautiful mounds of flowers. So he and his compatriots can have them by the end of September. It’s just that I wasn’t ready to give them up yesterday.