Sweltering and sweating describes this month of July. A few cracks of thunder gives hope, but rarely produces rain. As a gardener, watching your plants suffer from the heat and lack of rain, is discouraging. Knowing your quarterly water bill is going to be between $300-$500, is no better. But you do what you must or all is lost, and that would be the most discouraging of all.
This week’s bouquet is simple. I’ve been trying to work outside each day from 6-8 in the morning, and 7:30-9 in the evening. But this day, I couldn’t face either, and quickly gathering this handful of zinnias, was all I could manage.
With discouraging weather, and discouraging news all around, I choose joy in any form I can find it. The simplicity of zinnias, my babies, grown and nurtured from seed, are a “go to” source. They don’t seem to mind the heat and with a little bit of watering, they give generously to me and the insects who come to visit.
Their bright, happy colors are intoxicating. They truly are a handful of happiness.
Joining again this Monday with Cathy of Rambling in the Garden for “In a Vase on Monday”, where you’ll find flowers to cheer a weary soul.
What a perfectly beautiful collection of zinnias. Everything that is lovely about that brilliant flower. Fabulous colours, interesting and artistic in every way! As you say, in weird , worrying and unpredictable times, we need beauty like this and nothing does it better than those zinnias!! Thank you! Amanda https://therunningwave.blogspot.com/2020/07/thumbelinas-vase-on-monday.html
Thank you Amanda! I think zinnias are the ultimate cheerer upper flower of summer.
Happy Birthday to you!!! I hope you have a wonderful day!
I worked out the exchange rate and am horrified at your potential water bill! How much of that is the result of looking after your garden? Is water universally expensive in the US? I think the annual cost for us may be less than your lower figure. Water meters are not yet compulsory in the UK either.
Your zinnias are gorgeous! Whatever shade they are, the colours are so solid that they would make an impact even on their own, which I have probably said before. My Purple Prince ones are just coming into flower so I am pleased to see them alongside the orange and red. I hope your soul continues to be cheered by your vase for many more days, Cindy
My usual quarterly bill is $90. The last time I had to water this much my bill was in the $300’s and the water company thought I had a water leak and advised me to check it out. I think this time, I’ve watered even more because this 90+ degree streak has gone on for over a month with nearly no rain. Every time they forecast rain, it either doesn’t come or goes totally around where I live. Even the weeds in my lawn are dead. I don’t know if that is expensive or not for water. I work with a girl who pays $90 a month, so I assumed I have a pretty good rate in my suburb.
I think zinnias are the cheeriest flower in the garden that keeps on giving until frost. Happy week to you!
What beautiful flowers and gorgeous photographs. Glad to see your zinnias thriving. I feel encouraged just seeing them!
Thank you Susie! Zinnias never fail to make me smile. Have a happy week!
Your Zinnias make a colorful and very cheerful arrangement, Cindy. Most of mine are still tiny seedlings 🙁 I was surprised by your reference to your anticipated water bill as, even in summer, my monthly bill falls well below the low end of that range. I know I’m stingier with water than most of my neighbors and I’ve worked hard to create a low-water garden but I’ve never really had a clear idea as to how much a difference my changes may have made. Hopefully, this summer is a one-off experience for you and you won’t face this kind of challenge going forward.
My water bills are normally $90 a quarter. A few years ago we had a drought and my bill was in the $300’s, so I know this next one will too. I budget and save for it over the year and let the money in my water budget pile up if not used, just for this reason. The last time it was that high, when the water company sent me a bill, they told me I might have a water leak and to check into it. The water leak is my garden 🙂
Your plants are acclimated for dry desert heat, but things we plant here are not as drought tolerant. Native plants do pretty well, but one would have a very limited garden if that’s all you planted.
Happy week to you Kris!
That is exactly what I thought while looking at other vases too – the time taken putting these vases together each week is so worthwhile and such a pleasurable activity, even when it is sometimes too hot to bear going outside (or when it is pouring with rain, which rarely seems to happen here! LOL!) Your zinnias are lovely Cindy. I hope you get some respite from the heat soon. xx
Thank you Cathy! Rain is forecast almost daily for the rest of this week, but it seems to always skirt around us and last week, even an 80% chance came to nothing. I’ve given up trusting the forecasters and even the radar. It just leaves me disappointed when the rain doesn’t come. It’s hardest on the potted and newly established plants. Every spring I look at all the pretty potted plants the Europeans and British show in their photos and I’m envious. This time of year, I wish I didn’t have a single pot.
Working outside on the porch this early morning, listening to the tree frogs sing. It’s warm, but not hot. So I will enjoy a slice of outside as I can get it. At least no one else is up and it is most peaceful. Happy week to you Cathy!