Keeping a journal of what goes on in the garden is a great way to keep a record of past events and how the garden grows. By looking back, one can better remember past weather and compare to how current weather may be affecting plants and more generally why the garden is as it is. As it is now, here in Tidewater, Virginia it is really hot and really dry. We haven’t had a really good rain since sometime in spring. So for me as a gardener there has been little exciting to write about; dragging hoses is not very interesting – I know some people who have had this lawn service richmond va company come out and put an irrigation system in their lawns to help with maintaining the grass, among other things, but we’re determined to do it all ourselves. We have not planted our fall salad patch just because it is too hot and dry for success!

One thing I have done is plant some herb plants in clay pots; diameters are from 6 to 8 inches. These potted herbs are growing on my back step, a place with plenty of morning sun and access to water. The drought has made fall planting an unappealing venture, so gardeners may have to change their seasonal patterns while planting this fall. Normally my fall herbs would be planted in a ground bed, but success does not seem likely because it would be hard to water often.

Even with the dry conditions, the growing season ticks on, getting closer to winter each day. So as any gardener knows, timing is everything. If we want things like fresh herbs in winter, we must plant soon or the growing season will fade. To get plenty of fresh herbs this winter, they must be mostly grown before winter. No amount of lighting or heat can match real sunshine. If your garden is as fried as mine, consider a small collection of potted herb plants, and work around the drought.