Well, after many weeks of hot weather, we finally received a REALLY good rain storm. Not just one, but two!

As I was driving home Monday evening, I was taken by a familiar, but long-time unseen, sight – a black horizon with a green color cast. In Kansas, this would have signified possible tornado weather, so I figured I was driving into a storm. It was centered right ahead of me, over Round Rock. I was pretty excited as the area definitely needed a good rain and this looked to be one heck of a storm brewin.

Heading north on Mopac, approaching the 45 split, I noticed the typical Texas driver response to rain…. a dead stop in traffic. So, I weaved in and out of traffic, making my way toward my exit and the heavy rain hit. I don’t think I’ve encountered a rain here in Texas that I couldn’t see through. Driving as I normally would in Kansas in this type of rain, I guided my way by the road lane lines, which I could only see about one car-length ahead of me. I could, however, see the red brake lights all around me, so it was pretty safe driving in this way.

After hitting my exit and headin up an easy route home, I came upon my first flooded area – a small creek just past an elementary school. Taking a secondary route, I encountered another flooded, yet passable creek – but a power line was stretched across the road. I ended up going back to 45 and taking the northern route.

We received about 3 inches that night – judging by the water level in my wheel barrow and about another inch last night. Despite the weather sites claiming about 2.5 inches, I think we received about 4 – 5.

A really good and needed rain – Thank you Lord!

So, the rule of thumb down in southern Texas is that once the heat hits 95 degrees, tomatoes will stop fruiting. It’s been in the 93 – 102 degree range here for about two weeks now and I still have a few new sets of tomatoes popping out. Needless to say, I’m pretty thrilled that my plants bucked the rule.

I’m still sticking with my watering regiment of one good, deep watering once per week, while giving some of my herbs more water two times per week. I’m taking my queues from the plants themselves, seeing how lively they are in the mornings.

I can say that using molasses as a soil feeder is working out quite well. I’ve seen a significant change in my control group. More blooms, greener leaves, and all-around more life to the plants. I’m an advocate now and will start using molasses on the rest of my garden as well.

Just a side note – I’m expanding on my companion planting section and finally fleshing out some of the finer details. Check it out!