Dilemma

Early this week, the National Weather Service forecast put the rain chance at 20 percent on Friday and Friday night.
Unlike many such instances in the past, the chance has increased during the week (thank you, Isaac). Now it sits at 50 percent Friday, 60 percent Friday night and 60 percent on Saturday. Rain gear will be necessary for camping.
My dilemma? Do I do the planned watering today (which includes cabbages, etc. just planted last week) or trust that sufficient rain will fall over the next two days, when I won't be able to water?
I certainly have more than enough tasks to fill my day without the watering chore.
What would you do?

Rain on the Watermelon

Saturday morning I took a walk in the rain.

In my own garden.
Rain.

After three days of light rains, we measured 1.25 inches. It did not fill the cracks in the ground, but it puddled on the stones, and dripped from the cedar trees, beaded on the watermelons.
Now everything is green again.

The sky has cleared and no rain is in the forecast. But I have faith again. And 2,200 gallons in the rain tanks. Rain.

Rain.

It is not yet September, and the world is beginning to show its autumn colors.

Some of the blueberry leaves are turning.

Shades of yellow highlight the woods.

Poison ivy adds a scarlet flame to the woods' edges.

The fall garden has been planted. Cauliflower, broccoli, kale, lettuce, cabbage.

Later, when the moon is waning, I will plant carrots, radishes, daikon.
Faith is the thing driving me now. Faith and a little rain.
Large cracks still wound the earth -- an inch of rain is not enough to repair the damage done by this hot drought.
But a little rain has softened the edges. And I believe again.

Hail, Yes!

Hail, and Rain!

A little more than half an inch. A lovely, lovely storm. And possibly more to come.

Still Hoping...

Gifts of the land.

I took a deep breath and put the baby brussels sprouts in the ground today. As I planted a gray cloud covered the entire sky, keeping the temperature in the 80s all morning. Even though no rain fell, it was a blessing. The little brussels sprouts did not get scorched on their first day out. It did hit 100 around 4 p.m., but oh well.

After I planted the babies, I watered well, not just the plants, but the whole bed. I went over it several times with a sprinkler head, letting the water soak in. Then I put a nice layer of straw mulch over the whole thing, making it extra thick around the plants, and dampened the straw. Shade cloth over the bed will protect the babies from both the intensity of the sun and cabbage-eating bugs.

I have been in melon heaven for several days now, as both the watermelons and cantaloupes are ripening faster than I can eat them. Nothing better on a hot, hot day, than a cold, cold and juicy and sweet melon.

I also recently harvested grapes. Yes, Grapes! I planted the vines just last year, and I did not intend to let them bear. However, I missed a few of the tiny bunches on one vine, and decided to let them mature. I couldn't help myself. I am glad that I had a taste of this Heavenly Blue Grape. They are indeed heavenly. My husband is suggesting building another trellis for yet another Heavenly Blue vine.

Slight chance for rain tonight and tomorrow, then again on Saturday. We've got to get some sometime.