The neverending rain train

I know some parts of the country are struggling with heat and no rain, so I shouldn't complain but it is ridiculous here in the Midwest! We are getting rain every other day, if not daily! 

Our 7 day forecast

According to NOAA our ytd rainfall is 26.08 inches compared to last years 18.97. The average accumulation is 23.07 inches. We broke a record yesterday with it being the 4th rainiest Independence Day in Cincinnati history with 1.36 inches of rain.

My rain gauge is full. I have emptied it periodically. some of this could be from days when we had the hose out.  We have had 8.06 inches of rain since June 1st, with the average rainfall for the same time period is 4.48 inches

Water logged planters

The pool is overflowing

The rising creek. The bank was very slippery and muddy, so I couldn't get to close. Maybe we should have built that boat ;-)

Something is nomming on my brussel sprouts but everytime I spray the neem oil it rains and washes it off!

Everything is a goopy mess. I couldn't get in the the big garden to harvest. I tried to buy straw bales but haven't been able to locate any  so I used cardboard. Whatever, it works for now.

I am concerned I am gonna have rot from the excess moisture. I am going to feed the tomatoes an extra boost of calcium to avoid tomato blossom rot. I will  need to keep an eye on the squash because they can get blossom rot too. 

Siiiggghhh...what is your weather and garden dilemma?

Happy July 4th

I hope everyone has a safe July 4th and that includes our furry friends

More pets are lost on Independence than any other day of the year.

What you can do to keep your pets safe:

Keep your pets indoors during fireworks

Never leave your pets unattended outdoors even in a fenced yard

Make sure your dog is microchipped and/ or wearing a current ID tag

Make sure the microchip information is accurate

Keep a current picture of your pet just in case

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Instant Garden (at a super cheap price)

I often wonder how many times I say, "I was at Home Depot/ Lowe's/ Tractor Supply/Rural King/ Menard's / Fill in the blank and I found..."?

So yes- it is going to be one of those posts.

I was at Lowe's and that had a crap ton (which is ALOT of stuff) of perennials marked down to a dollar.

Doesn't it look pretty?

A DOLLAR Y'ALL!!

Like I was gonna pass that up, haha no way!!

  (because my trunk/ car because it was full of stuff I was taking to Goodwill for a donation drop off)

I only bought:

6 Shasta Daisies

6 Penstemon

3 Coreopsis

2 Rudbeckia

2 Trailing Cranesbill

I was so excited I almost forgot the main reason I went in there which was to buy some tomato cages because I didn't feel like making any. One of my neighbors gave me 5 more tomato plants and 3 pepper plants. They aren't all heirlooms but it wasn't like I was going to say no. haha

Lilies, Daisies, Coreopsis and Rudbeckia

As I mentioned in an update the kids bought a house, which has nooooo landscaping. I made them a planter barrel but for a buck a piece how could I not get them some plants. Although, no doubt some of these will find their way to one of my garden  beds.

Daisies and dianthus--MINE!

Fortunately for me (and my wallet)  there is a torrential downpour since I don't feel like swimming to Lowe's. I'll be nice and save some plants for other people...

MAYBE

Except the kid called and when I told her about the sale, she said the magic words...
"I'll be there in a few minutes and I have my SUV" 

So much for restraint, haha

2nd trip I bought ...

5 Asiatic lilies

5 fountain grass

4 dianthus

3 bee balm *

1 butterfly bush

Everything was a buck except for the bee balm

*(these were $3.00 each marked down from $7.98)

Penstemon

I think  it is gonna be a nice housewarming gift (well part of it anyway) and the best part?
They are on their way to an instant garden in their first home!

Bee balm, trailing cranesbill,  dianthus

Scarlet Fountain Grass

Butterfly Bush

Here's the cost breakdown

	Quantity	Original Price	Full Price Cost	Sale Price	Sale Cost
Shasta Daisy	6	$5.98	$35.88	$1.00	$6.00
Penstemon	6	$5.98	$35.88	$1.00	$6.00
Asiatic Lilies	5	$7.98	$39.90	$1.00	$5.00
Fountain Grass	5	$7.98	$39.90	$1.00	$5.00
Dianthus	4	$5.98	$23.92	$1.00	$4.00
Bee balm	3	$7.98	$23.94	$3.00	$9.00
Coreopsis	3	$3.68	$11.04	$1.00	$3.00
Cranesbill	2	$7.98	$15.96	$1.00	$2.00
Rudbeckia	2	$3.68	$7.36	$1.00	$2.00
Butterfly Bush	1	$7.98	$7.98	$1.00	$1.00
			$241.76	Total (pre-tax)	$43.00
			$229.67	Discount (5%)	$40.85
			$15.71	Tax (6.5%)	$2.80
			$213.96	Grand Total	$38.06

I saved $175.90...WOOT!!!!

Anyone else score some good deals lately?

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