I know Texas summers are brutal….I understand that completely, and am prepared for it. What I’m not prepared for is the record highs of 107, 104, 105. Yes folks, it’s too hot to even breath outside. We hurry from the car to the house in order to avoid being in it for more than a couple moments at a time. I’m hosing down the animals pens a couple times a day just so they can be comfortable, or even close to it. Practically injecting the girls with constant water as well.
I’ve heard alot of comments from people who do not live here (not directed at me, just in general) about the Texas summers and we should all be used to it or not live here. The thing is, this heat isn’t just normal Texas conditions. June is suppose to be one of the wettest months of the year, but the last rain we had that registered anything was 3/4″ on June 3rd, and no real rain in sight in the near future. Average temps this time of year are suppose to be mid 90’s. Even in the hottest months of July and August our averages are suppose to rarely be above 100. We are not Death Valley here, nor are we Western Texas. We are Hill Country with lakes and streams, green growth and rain in May and June. Not this year, nor was it last year. This year’s temps are even higher than last year’s and we thought it was hot then!
To top it all off, due to the lack of rain we are on mandatory watering schedules. Fortunately we can hand water any day of the week, but the real watering can only be 2 days a week…which is a big reason we are going to do drip irrigation. That’s another post for another day though. Right now it’s all about trying to keep the garden alive. My last plantings went into the ground this week – yes, I broke a couple rules and am hoping they make it in this heat – nothing else will be planted until fall except for maybe seeds. If I’m not out working in the garden by 7AM then I don’t get much done because it’s just way too hot after that.
Anyone know any good rain dances?
We’ll survive, and this was just a quick whine from me. I feel better! Thanks for listening!
Hope your summertime is full of coolness and lots of refreshing, ice cold drinks – again, another post for another day!
Peace!
As the climate changes more & more, you two might consider moving to an area with a natural water source. Alarmist, probably, but something to tuck into the back of your minds. It's been a pretty dry spring up here, too, which used to be unimaginable.
Misery loves company! This horrible heat is not just record-breaking — it's deadly. You were right on target in stating that this heat is not what central Texas is supposed to get. I'm just glad we're still being allowed to water anything at all. Some people don't even get to do that.
It's Texas, get over it 🙂 it's a balmy 69 degrees at one in the afternoon here! no seriously, that's a big reason why I moved to Portland. When you have to bathe tour cat once a say so he doesn't die of heat stroke it's just too much.
Oh, and Portland has natural irrigation…. Think about it 🙂
And don't worry, the heat won't last! Love you!!
Oh my goodness…I can't believe that you've been hand watering everything. Yes, a drip system will make your life heavenly. I don't know how you've managed to hand water and do all the gardening you do with 3 kids and other chores. I realize it feeds you, but seriously, that's got to be a priority before your new raised beds. (just joking ya know…)
I hear ya, sister. To your readers advising you to move where there is a natural water source, do they know that central Texas has always had a readily available water source in the Highland Lakes, fed by the Colorado river? Perhaps climate change will dry them up and we WILL be living in West Texas before long, but as you point out, that's a new development. They'd better pray for rain for the southwest or they will find that half the country is squeezing into Portland and such places along with them. 😉
I can't imagine…Hang in there!
Like Michelle said, it's been super dry here. Not a normal year, weather wise!
I couldn't agree with you more. I've lived in Texas for some 27 years (21 in Austin), and I've not seen it quite like this before. Normally, I can tolerate the heat, but not this time. I'm spending about two hours a night after work watering plants and on weekends, I try to do deep watering but if you aren't outside early and in at about 10 am, it's all over till the evening.
Having had plants survive a drought without any water in the past, it is however, interesting which plants will make it through and which will not.
I feel your pain! Heat indexes have been upwards of 109 degrees here for the past couple of weeks. Gardening has truly been an adventure lately. Despite our record rainfall — the heat has been blistering. Keep on keepin' on. I'm suffering with you.