Heh - ‘tis not gonna be cool around here any time soon. This weekend looks good for not much except a trip to swim at a clean lake. But, at least we should finally dry out a bit. (I was awakened a bit earlier by thunder and a few small hailstones hitting the awning over our back porch.)
Now, I may have to fight the battle of the surviving plants all having shallow root systems. All the stuff I planted deep has died or is in horrible shape.
BTW, it looks like the wood bees in the wellhouse have bitten the dust. Both active ingredients in the fogger spray ARE rated as highly toxic to bees: Tetramethrin (0.20%), and Phenothrin (0.20%) are not at particularly high concentration in this product*, but, apparently they persisted long enough to do the job, eventually.
* https://www.cutterinsectrepellents.com/en/products/backyard/backyard-bug-control-outdoor-fogger
Both are pyrethroids and thus, used properly, relatively safe for humans. But, keep the cats away...
We’re in for HOT next week, Mon and Tues (94)n both days. VERY unusual for us here in NH.
And we could use some drying out as well.
I was out in the garden yesterday and noticed the soil quality is showing signs of jumping worm damage. Very granular, like coffee grounds.
I keep a bucket with me of soapy water and whenever I see one, drop it in. I must have killed about 200 yesterday alone. I know there’s no end to them but every one less is a win. Fewer eggs for the winter.
We have a weed burner gadget that works on propane and since heat is known to kill the eggs, I thought come fall, we can treat the soil by flaming it. It would take care of other things as well.
However, the asparagus bed is off limits.
I tried a mustard drench for the soil and they really don’t like that. Nor do they like chili powder. The areas where there’s not lots of compost or wood chips, but it
s typical NH clay, seem to be devoid of them. Small wonder. The stuff is packed hard and tough to break up.