TBGDN said:The drought of 2012 was depressing. I remember it well! The only upside was the lack of need for mowing!

We had a lot of consecutive 90+ days with some 100+ days that we tied a very old weather record in the Greater Cincinnati, OH area. We would've broke the record, but we had a day under 90 and then back to the 90 - 100+ days. Very hot & dry.

2007 was also hot, dry and quiet from the lack of mowers, etc.., but nowhere near as bad as 2012.

We always expect 100 degree weather during July and not a drop of rain. This is the first July we have experienced that we actually had rain and cool weather! I'm having a problem realizing it is July in AR!

Same for me, Jean. It's been the coolest July that I remember. Not all that much rain, I'm still watering my potted plants, though the ones in the garden soil seem to be fine without extra water.

Jean,

I thought you lived in FL year round. How much of the year do you live in AR?

@Marilyn When we retired 19 years ago we moved to our home in AR. After my brother passed away in 2002, we inherited his home in FL so we divide our time between the two, usually spending part of Dec., Jan, Feb. and March in FL then back to AR for April, back to FL in May or June, then back to FL in the fall and usually we go back in November and spend Thanksgiving there. We have so set schedule and in between going back and forth, we try to attend special family functions wherever and whenever! Sometimes I feel like we are gypsies! Our neighbors here in AR tell us they can't keep up with us, but know when we are home when the garbage cans are out on garbage day!

Jean

Sharon,
I think drought in places that usually get summer rain is much more devastating then here in California where drought is always in the back of our mind. That being said, I'm rebuilding all of my raised beds with pond liner, making them one big pot. During the summer I plug the drain. It cuts my watering way back. Trees are the biggest problem. They can suck a bed dry in a couple of days once the roots are established. I'm mostly growing bearded iris, so they don't take a lot of water anyway. But with the Louisiana iris, it really makes a huge difference.

This year we are really into the drought. Water rationing is close on the horizon. My community garden is probably going to have the water cut off. I hope we get some serious rain this winter.

Carl

It's always great to hear from you, Carl, but I hate hearing about your drought. And the fires I keep hearing about out your way. The lined raised beds sound like a great idea.

I really wish for you so much rain in the very near future.

It hasn't been nearly as bad here this year and last, no drought to speak of, a decent amount of rain and most of my plants survived the 2012 drought. You are right about the trees, when my gardens were brown that dry year, the trees were still green, though the cottonwood was near bare and the bald cypress was needle-less in July; the leaves on my maples and on the River Birch turned upside down and things just looked weird. But everything survived in spite of it.

So good to hear from you again.
Take care!

Sharon said:So yes, I do worry. Not that those worries will do a bit of good, but it might help knowing that others are thinking and wishing there was something to do to help.

Now my friend, you've told me over and over not to worry because it doesn't do any good. See, I am just following your example.

It is sure not dry here today. This afternoon in a matter of minutes we received a downpour that amounted to an inch and a half of rain. It was in the rain gage.

Better all that rain than drought, Oma!

Sharon, I was too busy teasing you and forgot to say thanks for the article.
Good as always and very educational. I will keep that info in mind. Well, probably not 'in mind' but in my computer. Good information to have as always.

I always enjoy hearing from you, Oma, no matter what you say.
Thank you right back!