In the middle of a most delightful two-inch rainfall this morning, the first cormorants of the season landed on our lake and proceeded to go fishing. They had great success. Another diving duck that we could not identify landed a bit later. The seasons are changing. The hardy aster is in full bloom, milkweed bugs are back in full force and the tropical hibiscus is blooming and looking better than it has all summer. The Malabar spinach is growing so rampant it reminds me of kudzu. The red, orange, yellow and green peppers not only taste good, they look quite colorful in the garden. There is more color in the garden now than at most times of the year.
This week we will put out our organic fertilizer on all planting beds and turf. With all the rain we have had lately (and no one here in Texas dare complains about that!), we have had some problems with brown patch. My husband has become a real believer in the product called Actinovate, a biological fungicide, to take care of the problem. I am going to plant some Liberty snapdragons – I will use them as cut flowers later on. Even though we have brought in a few pansies and violas in to the stores, I am going to be patient and wait at least to the end of the month to plant. I know we are not completely done with the heat.
But meanwhile, tonight we will sleep with the windows open….
