It has been an interesting summer to observe climate change and its effects. We had a cold wet spring and still had to run heat into mid-June. It was impossible to plant a garden on the traditional Memorial Day weekend. Fortunately, we started plants in the house, but actually got a picking of beans before the plants could go out.
Barn swallows were very late in coming. In 2012 I had some 40+ hatchlings in the barn. This year, 8. Humming birds showed up very late and in fewer quantities. Then we had some record breaking heat. In 2012, by August it sounded like walking on snow going to the barn, the grass was quite brown. This summer, it seems like I'm mowing the lawn every other day. Not that we have had tons of rain, but it comes every few days. In 2012, our barn was stuffed with hay by the end of June ... good thing as it all dried up in the fields later. This year, the constant wetness made fields how to mow and dry but finally got some in the first of August. Still need round bales, but also need a stretch of dry weather.
After out heat wave, the summer has been quite cool. There have been 40-50 degree nights and highs in the 60s/70s more often than not.
Back to the garden, finally did get stuff planted. The weather has been kind to squash; peas got mostly burnt out; tomatoes have done well; but the beans have been under constant attack from hordes of Japanese Beetles. We spray a mix of water and Castille soap 3-5 times a day. It kills them, but does not keep them from coming back.
The extended forecast calls for temps in the 50's nights, 70s days. Not what I would call the traditional 'dog days' of summer. Hopefully this isn't a harbinger of an early, cold winter. Ouch for the heating budget.
So yeah, things are different and the climate has gotten very unpredictable. How about you?
