July Wrap-up, from the Beginning to the End

 This is the rest of July in photo snapshots.

I planted two tomato plants this summer. I chose this one because it would produce tomatoes in 55 days. It did! We have been eating these since July 3rd. They didn't get very big, about the size of a plum or apricot and there weren't a lot of them. We have used them in salads. The heat is doing a number on them. We've had a week of temps in the high 90ºs to over 100º. 

I prefer grape tomatoes over cherry tomatoes, but the skins on this variety is very thick. The fruit is sweet and delicious. I have also been picking grape tomatoes since July 3rd.

This was the cucumber, or one of them, on July 3rd. My neighbor kept the vegetables watered while we were gone in June so I gifted the first couple of cucumbers to him as they do not plant any. The 3 cucumber plants are also looking really tough from the heat. 

The next two flowers were photographed while geocaching in a preserved nature area.

Buffalobur Nightshade

a poisonous thistle plant, painful to animals & humans

Hoary Verbena

Hoary vervain provides forage for deer and its seeds are an important food source for small mammals and upland birds. Native Americans made a tea from the leaves to treat stomachache.

The day lilies chose to bloom after the Fourth of July.

I have not been as faithful at watering these three plants as I have in past summers.

They are also showing some stress from the heat. We will all be pleased when the temps drop below 90.

The hibiscus is finally blooming! I gave this plant to K&C (at their request) to keep over the winter in 2019. The original plant was 4 in one pot, so this spring they split the plants and gave one back to me. I have nursed it along, first on the deck on the east side where it got too much first morning sun and then moved it to the west side where it finally flourished. Today (Thursday) 3 flowers are open! It will go back to K&C for the month of August. It may just stay with them until next spring. (Go this post to see the photos of this plant from August 2019) Hibiscus Watch

there is just something about a hibiscus flower

at least one more bud

This Mandevilla (Rock Trumpet) also had a rough start this spring: too hot on the deck, then inside the house with no sun and not enough water for 11 days in June, then back outside on the shaded stoop on the west side. Finally, just before we are ready to leave again, it is showing some signs of flowers. The plant I had last summer bloomed all summer long. Not this one. Not this summer. Oh well. K& C will get to enjoy it on their deck next month.

And finally to end the month of July, the last of the E birthdays.

M had five birthday celebrations this year. The first one was in the Black Hills with Aunt Kari. His parents made his birth day a special one with dinner out and gifts. The next day he had a date with G'pa Curt. They had lunch together and went to a movie. On the fourth day of celebrating he and two friends (and his sister) went to Thunder Road. Family celebrated his 9th birthday on Sunday with a gathering. A great way to end the month of July.

a smokey sky sunset from our deck