We have almost made it to Labor Day weekend. Goodness it is so dry and brown in our part of the world. We have started to feed hay to cattle because there is just no more grass. The flowers are withering in the raging heat and leaves are dropping everywhere. One of the things I love about living in northwest Arkansas is the change of seasons. I know we are all ready to see some rain; I pray it comes soon.
Meanwhile, I am limping my garden by trying to water efficiently in the evening after the sun has made its retreat. I think this gives the water more time to soak down into the thirsty roots. I have given up on the squash and cucumbers I planted in the spring. They succumbed to the heat and the squash bugs. They are compost for next season.
In a moment of optimism, I decided to go ahead and plant a few things for fall. I have been nurturing spinach, green beans and zucchini. I have a new crop of potatoes coming up and have tucked garlic to harvest next summer. I have given myself a failing grade on growing Dahlias for the first time this year – out of ten bulbs I think two have thrived and another is barely hanging on. I have more research to do on growing these. The zinnias, black eyed Susans and mums are going strong. The hummingbirds and butterflies are still hanging around so I am taking that as a sign – all is not lost.
A few days ago, the cattle got out into the front yard and near the garden. They were easily rounded back up into the field. I do not know if it was them or the deer who devoured the leaves off our sweet potato plants. They are not quite ready to harvest yet, but we may have to pull them up early.
Amid the yard being littered with cowpies, our eternally joyful labrador ran through the grass and rolled himself in it. When I finished watering for the night, he met me at the back door and wanted to be let in. I smelled him before I saw his black coat covered in manure and laughed. He was not coming into the house until he had been thoroughly bathed. He was relegated to the dog pen out by the hunting dogs for the night. Yuck!
Fall football season has begun and cooler temperatures must be around the corner. I am hopeful we will get some precipitation soon. As sure as death and taxes, fall weather is not far away. In the meantime, we are doing our best to take care of land and animals. Stay cool, neighbor.
Jody Harris is a freelance communications specialist, gardener, ranch wife and mother of four. She and her family raise Angus beef cattle and other critters on their northwest Arkansas ranch. She is a graduate of Missouri State University. To contact Jody, go to ozarksfn.com and click on ‘Contact Us.’
