Soggy Days

Ivy and Burt are so happy you have stopped by for a visit! Most of the planting and garden chores are done so they are taking a break to enjoy the fruits of the season while our soggy backyard dries out. Summer has just so much to smile about!

Our weather's been alternating between blisteringly hot and lengthy deluges of biblical proportions, complete with non-stop thunder and lightning. All this excitement has been super beneficial to the plants and weeds, so much so that it's become hard to tell them apart! I'm going to need a machete.

A good soaking rain with lots of lightning was always a welcome site to the farmers in the community where I grew up. My Gram referred to them as "electrical storms". She and I would happily stand outdoors, under our south porch and enjoy the show. Probably not the safest thing to do but she lived to be ninety and I'm still here! Still not a good idea. When I went to college it came as quite a surprise to me to see my freshman roommate running for cover at the first clap of thunder.

My unbridled enthusiasm for storms isn't just about flashing lights and loud noises, although I do appreciate the show. It's the benefits to the plant life that really makes me happy. Plants need nitrogen to grow and 78% of our air is made up of it. Unfortunately, plants don't have a way to absorb it from the air. When a bolt of lightning rips across the sky it busts up the nitrogen molecules and some of those free nitrogen atoms combine with oxygen and form nitrates. Nitrates are a fantastic, all natural fertilizer and it gets carried to the ground in the rain which the plants can absorb through their root system. Free fertilizer and a good show all thanks to Mother Nature. Plus, it's less work for me!  

Obviously, apart from their many benefits, storms are not everyone' s cup of tea.

Rain without thunder and lightning can be sort of like tea without dessert for some of us.

 Lately we've either been cooped up inside a lot (with the AC due to the sweltering heat or taking cover from a torrential downpour) so His Madness took the opportunity to whip up this delicious tart! 

It turned out to be just the thing to turn a cup of tea into a party.

Pouring tea is one task His Madness takes very seriously! It always commands everyone's attention. 

Eventually the rain passed, the sky cleared, the sun came out and the neighbors dogs captured Spencer's attention. It was a lovely break but is it time to get back to work? 

Out in the backyard, the wind and rain has taken a quite a toll on this pink peony.

Luckily, there's still a few salvageable blooms and all of the other peony plants are fine.

Most of the flowers, like this Iris are just wet . . .

. . . while the old roses are already dry!

It looks like it's going to be way too wet to do anymore work in the garden today.

Poor Ivy will just be forced to spend the rest of the afternoon curled up with a good book and a kitty.

So, how do you feel about thunderstorms? 

Thanks for stopping by!