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July 1, 2025

This Week's Garden Gab: ​
​Rainy Days ... and Sunshine!

Hi Reader!

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“Sometimes, you need to get rained on to truly appreciate the warmth of the sun.”

— Unknown

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This quote caught my attention because as I sit here after days of off and on rain and storms I am loving this moment of seeing the sun filter through my blinds.

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I mean, the rain has surely saved time and money ... I don't have to water much, but I do enjoy getting out there, watering, walking around (or tour the gardens as I like to say), tending to weeds, sweating, and watching plants mature.

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In this edition:

• Storm damage
• Why your garden looks so good after the rain...it's scientific!
• Photos of my storm-kissed garden

We've had so much rain this month for my area. Every day I'm checking plants for fungal issues, yellowing leaves, etc. Fortunately, we've had just enough sunshine to keep things growing and going.

The storms have been weird and random.... one minute dry, hot, humid and sunny, then within minute the sky darkens, ominous grey clouds roll in, and the low grumble of thunder threatens in the distance.

Have you noticed that after a good storm, your garden seems to flourish?

There is some science behind this. I've seen my garden seem to get a big boost after a storm.

​Learn How Plants and Lightening Interact! It has to do with nitrogen in lightening and rain.

⛈️ ⛈️ ⛈️

Last week, a sudden windy storm rolled in and just as I looked out the window to see if I left my patio umbrella out and up, a gust of wind swept in and carried it out of the stand to around the house to out of sight! I looked from all windows and didn't see it anywhere. Chalked it up to gone!, The 3rd one I've lost. Ugggh.

After the storm, I stepped onto the patio and saw this....

While I was out surveying the garden, my neighbor called and asked if I lost my umbrella.

Apparently, a woman knocked on her door and asked if it was hers. It had blown out of my yard, down to the street and around the corner to near her house. 🫨

Did I live through a 'baby' tornado or something?

I walked over to retrieve it. Surprisingly it was minimally damaged, unlike the one last year that suffered a broken rib rendering it useless.

Then...

After a few days of daily rain I saw this......

The Spaghetti Squash, Small Pumpkins, Butternut Squash and Cantaloupe took off and started their journey over the trellis.

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The Amelia and Better Boy tomatoes grew a foot it seems.

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The cukes are starting to climb my makeshift trellis, and the corn behind it is just 'showing off'!

My Moringa Tree is finally getting growing! Have we talked about Moringa yet? Be sure to subscribe because we'll be talking about this powerhouse plant soon.

Something for your Gardening Soul

I never planned to grow grapes. A trip through the garden department at Walmart early one morning last fall landed me in front of a few scraggly bare root grape plants on sale for $6.00!!! Say whaaaat?! You are correct! No way was I leaving without one.

I decided on the Red Seedless Grape over the Concord Grapes. I had low-hopes for any success only because I didn't know anything about growing grapes.

Here are some fun facts about GRAPES! 🍇🍇🍇

​20 Fun Facts About Grapes!​

​What are Concord Grapes? (History, Eating, 5 Facts and More)​

​How to Plant and Grow Grapes in Your Garden​

That's all I have for this edition.

Feel free to write me at jangardener@gardenease.org if you have any questions or comments.

Forward this newsletter to anyone you think would be interested in gardening information and to SUBSCRIBE HERE.

I'll see you in the next edition!

Jan🤗

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If you have questions, comments, praises, complaints, or ideas about gardening or about the newsletter, you can reach me at: jangardener@gardenease.org