Daytime temperatures for the period averaged near normal but the early morning readings averaged below normal. Three of the seven early morning readings were in the forties and one at fifty-one degrees. That ninety-one degree reading on the 6th was the warmest (or hottest) reading since July 2, 2014. There were no ninety degree readings recorded in my record book last year; there was an eighty-nine degree reading in July.

This area experienced another dry week. There was rainfall on three dates, a trace on the 6th, 0.05 on the 7th and by 10 p.m. on the 9th, 0.12 of an inch with more in the forecast. Most of the rainfall for the approaching week will occur early and then maybe showers near the end. Temperatures will be higher and more humid as the week develops.

Dry soil conditions have slowed down the growth of some garden crops and other deep rooted varieties have made rapid growth, with the abundant sunshine and long days. Peas are rather shallow rooted, with lots of foliage, thus they revealed lots of wilting by mid-day and reduced yield. With the predicted rain perhaps there will be two more pickings.

The harvesting of the first crop of hay was completed on the 4th, with the baler counter reading over 5700 bales, about 800 bales less than last year, when we finished July 14.

My grandson and I spread fertilizer on about twenty three acres of hay land between the 6th and 8th. Hopefully enough rainfall will occur to produce a good second crop of hay and even a third like last year. With over 2,000 bales ordered, and more orders will probably develop, an abundant harvest will be needed.

Early in the week, I saw the first hummingbird of the season. Near mid-week I heard a bluebird on three occasions but couldn’t spot it. On the 8th, I saw the first mockingbird as he visited the bush cherry to consume some of the early ripening fruit. My deceased brother planted three about five years ago but only one survived and had its first fruit last year. Two of the peach trees that he set out six years ago have peaches growing on the branches; the best one yielded nearly two pecks the third year and then was winter-killed two years ago.

New bloom observed recently include: clematis, plantain, purslane, multi-colored perennial pea, foxglove, wild snapdragon, garden bean, asparagus, blue bell, sumac and goldenrod; more on the goldenrod in following writings.

This period of time last year had comparable daytime readings, but once again warmer early morning readings. There was a range of forty degrees, from the low of forty four on the 3rd, to the high of eighty four degrees on the 7th.

Light rainfall on four dates deposited only 0.08 of an inch of water in the gauge.

Day High Temperatures Low Precipitation

Sun. 77 43 0

Mon. 83 48 0

Tues. 77 51 0

Wed. 91 48 T

Thurs. 67 62 0.05

Fri. 68 56 0

Sat. 64 57 0.12 at 10 p.m.