Thursday, August 26, 2010

Crispy Challenge


The other day I was reading thru the blogs and thinking, how incredible everyone’s garden looks compared to ours right now. I had just made up my mind I was going to do a post showing the damage the heat did to Our Eden this year when I came upon Lisa’s post. I told her it was good to see it wasn’t just our garden that was suffering so much. She confided that she also had been wondering the same thing.

We’ve kept our garden watered well because we have an extensive drip system, but it was still no match for the heat. You work and toil trying to keep everything looking neat and lush and the heat just destroys your efforts. The heat burns plants quicker than you can help them recover.

It made me feel so much better to see Lisa’s plants. It some how gave me the peace of mind that it was not my lack of care that was causing our garden to look so haggard. It can be so disheartening sometimes when you see the lush beautiful photos of other gardens when your own is looking so tattered.

I’m presenting a challenge. Are you brave enough to show the not so pretty areas of your garden? It sure lifted my spirits to see I was not alone. Just post a link to your post in the comments if you want to participate. :-)

Tree



Banana



Blackberry



Hosta



Iris


I know for certain we’ve lost two butterfly bushes.

Budd



Corner



Daylily


What the heat hasn’t gotten the acidic tee tee of the wild schnauzersaurus has severely damaged… hopefully he will learn not to trample so bad and aim in a different direction, preferably on the chainlink fence.

Veronica



Redbud

21 comments:

Unknown said...

Ours has not been damaged as much by the heat. I think maybe we had more rain than you did. We are still suffering from last winter's heavy and way long freezes.

Antique ART Garden said...

Yes, heat has been terrible , and yes my garden has suffered , and I probably am not going to be brave enough to post pictures of it. Need to go out and rev up some sprinklers , take care, Gina

P.S. Not everyone's garden looks fabulous right now, heading into late Summer--chin up ! You are a great gardener !

Darla said...

Okay, just took you up on your challenge, come on by.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

I know the heat in your area is even worse than here but my goodness, when plants in containers can't take it you know it is rough. Thanks for the encouragement and link love. I will be doing a rain dance this weekend. Here still hoping.

Becca's Dirt said...

You are so right. I have much to share tomorrow. I have noticed lots of plant markers and there is no plant.

F Cameron said...

Don't be discouraged.

I've lost some new plants that were added in the spring. Disappointing. The rains came too late for the newbies.

From now on, I'm only going to plant perennials in the fall when I'm sure they'll get water and cool temps to build up the root systems.

Southern Lady said...

Wow, you brave soul. I feel so much better after seeing that I am not alone. The hot, dry weather this summer did a number on my garden. Even my foolproof knock out roses look tattered. Thanks for being brave and showing the not so pretty side of your garden. I may get brave enough to show you the bermuda grass that has taken over in my beds. Carla

BGgarden said...

Another Crispy Challenge... I followed Darla over to your site. It is actually encouraging to see others are experience a wide range of textures this time of year in the garden.

Great to find you - I look forward to your next share from the garden.

Randy said...

Jan,
I’ve been very discouraged by the amount of rain we’ve had this year. I’m certain you guys have had more.

Gina,
Thanks for the vote of confidence!

Darla,
I’m glad you decided to participate! I think it’s important for moral support during these dry times!

Lisa,
Looking at those containers it’s easy to see which direction the hot afternoon sun is coming from, brown on one side green on the other.

Becca,
I look forward to taking a peek at your post!

Freda,
I was thinking about your comment this morning. I think we are going to do that too.

Carla,
Don’t worry, you are not alone. Our knockouts are still blooming, but the flowers bleach out before the day is done.

BG,
Welcome, welcome, welcome! We are glad you decided to visit us! Keep coming back!-- Randy

tina said...

Don't give up on the buddleia. It may yet come back-think positive. The evergreens-probably not. I was just thinking I might post on the things I've lost due to the drought. But honestly you know I think these pictures and the loss of plants is a natural part of gardening. While not pretty, it is real. The real part is what I like best I guess. Anyone can take lovely photos of plants but it takes a special someone to show the real stuff.

Dee @ Red Dirt Ramblings said...

It's been a terrible summer. Although my garden looks good from afar, I can see a lot of damage up close. I was just thinking I should show the damage. Maybe I'll get time to take photos this weekend.~~Dee

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Randy, Our yard has some 'crispy' stuff also--but not as bad as yours. Our biggest crispy plant is our Clamatis. George has kept the Roses alive by watering them about every other day.

We have had the hottest and driest summer I can remember since moving here in 2002... I'm ready for Fall.

Have a great weekend.
Betsy

Racquel said...

Oh don't feel alone my garden is looking a bit battered and worn too. We went over a month with no rain and temps in the upper 90s to 100s. I'm looking forward to fall and dreaming of next spring. :)

Anonymous said...

All gardens seem to have a little of what you are showing. Good thing the roots are tucked safely below. Next year will be a better year, at least I am hoping. We have had unseasonably warm weather also, and next week will be a scorcher here in Niagara Falls.

Caroline said...

I have the perfect crispy plants to participate in this challenge! Unfortunately it's pretty much my entire garden, and it's 102 degrees outside -- toooooooo hot to get out and take shots (my lens fogs up internally when it goes from AC to blistering hot)! Just know that you are not alone.

Tatyana@MySecretGarden said...

Randy, I lost BIG in August - my beautiful tall full Italian cypress which we had for 5 years, in the pot, and the Japanese maple which I just bought, also in the pot. The cypress is a goner, for sure, but I hope the maple can survive. I hope that only its leaves got burned. You are not alone, my gardening friend!

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Randy : ) Thank you for stopping by! I have not made proper rounds in so long I think I am lost in the dust .. no pun intended Randy, truly !
I fell badly for your plant loses .. as gardeners we are connected to each other's disappointments and loses such as these .. I have a few fried plants myself .. new ones .. astilbe that I love .. but we were far better off than you further south and my garden heart goes out to you and Jamie and all the gardeners that have had such a tough year .. we always hope next year will be better right ?
I think your challenge is perfect and will help other gardeners feel united in not feeling guilty about the level of care they gave their gardens .. it is not your fault ! The weather ate many garden plants!
Take heart : )
Joy

Jim Long said...

Hi Guys,
I enjoyed your confession that you were wondering about other people's garden damage, and felt some sense of relief to know yours wasn't the only garden suffering from late summer heat. It made me laugh that seeing other gardeners' damage, gave you a sense of camaraderie. Yesterday I posted the week of damage from the combination of drought and those damned cucumber beetles. Thanks for your wonderful post, it takes courage to show that not every garden is perfect all the time!

scottweberpdx said...

You are pretty brave showing the crispy pics! Our summer wasn't too bad, and any plant damage in my garden can be attributed to things being newly-planted or incorrectly sited...oops. My poor Rodgersia...everywhere I looked said they could be in full sun if kept well-watered...well, apparently sudden heat and high winds can negate any amount of water...I'll have to move them next spring :-(

Missy said...

It's amazing how all across blogland people are talking about how sad their gardens are right now. Maybe I'm just used to it, or I didn't plant anything that cared about the heat, but my garden is SO pretty right now!

Jean said...

My garden looks pitiful! I have watered faithfully but no matter how much I water the big trees along with the clay soil just suck it dry. Glad to see I am not the only one with fried plants. Dug up 4..tossed them...and have cut back a lot of ornamental grass that was brown when it should be white and green. Onward and upward!