Drought 2021?

So far it all looks lush and green.

Drought?  Oh, Father God, I hope not!  We weathered the dry year of 2012 but it was not fun.  So far we've had timely rains and the crops and gardens look good; but last night's predicted rain ended up in just wind and a sprinkle after midnight.  Looking ahead for the next 10 days, I see only 2 days with 30% chances.  

It'll be good for the hay Farmer is planning on cutting this week; but it'll mean I'll be out every evening watering.  I went out this morning (Sunday) as a few things were looking peaked and wilted.  Everything got a good drink.  Tomorrow evening I will mulch the raised bed.  The soil there is not the best and I've noticed some areas that have washed out under the sides of the bed.  

I also need to mulch the squash & cucumbers.  I should have done that when I first planted those plants but I"m only one woman with little time.

I did get the pumpkins mulched right around the plants and then Farmer tilled between, yesterday morning.  They look happy enough and as their leaves & vines grow, they'll cover the soil and create their own living shade mulch.

As I keep hearing about the devastating heat and drought in the western U.S.  I'm looking at ways to lessen our cost of fresh produce.  Obviously we are growing some of our own, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and summer squash.  But those will not be ready for several more weeks. 

Thankfully we have our local farmer's market in town.  I plan to start looking there this week.  I have enough romaine, cucumbers and cherry tomatoes to keep us in salads this week.  But I will need to find another source of fresh salad ingredients or start buying frozen veg to supplement.

Fruit is another item I need to resource.  Thankfully it's June on the Prairie and strawberries are in season.  Also cherries.  I'll see what is available for those as well.  I have canned fruit and some frozen here as well that I can start using.  Our pear trees have quite a few pears setting on, so I'm hopeful for a nice crop to can.

I've read how some of the Aussie bloggers save their warming-up water and use in their washing machines.  That is a great idea!  I've also been saving the water left in our glasses and dumping it in the watering can.  Liquid from canned vegetables or when I wash store produce also.

Every little bit helps in the end.