Last evening, as I was preparing to fire up the grill to cook a few steaks, the heavens opened, and we were blessed by an hour and a half of hard rain. Wonderful rain. Soaking rain. Welcome rain. When I checked the rain gauge, it registered almost an inch and three quarters (44mm). Wow! After days and days of extremely hot and dry weather, the rain was sorely needed.

This morning I walked around the garden and was pleased to see that many plants which had been struggling in the heat are now perking up and looking like their old selves. This is particularly true of the plants along the edge of the woods which had begun to droop and generally look sad. I thought I was about to lose an oak leaf hydrangea, but with the heavy, soaking rain it has recovered.

Oakleaf  hydrangea after the rain

The patches of Autumn ferns which had been sprawling in the woods are likewise happy.

It is easy to get complacent after an extended period of really hot and dry weather; sometimes I feel that it’s just too hot to get out in the garden (and then there’s the US Open to watch).  I’ve learned that I must guard against that. It will probably be wise to observe conditions more carefully, to wear a good sun hat, and to add a touch of hand watering from time to time to maintain things in good shape.

Autumn is coming.

You may be pleased to know that the steaks, although cooked inside under the broiler, were quite tasty.