8/20/26"Those who labor in the Earth are the chosen people of God" - Thomas Jefferson

 Sunshine, calm, 62 degrees.  Mostly cloudy today, a WNW breeze, high 81, low 56.  Yesterday's mostly cloudy forecast had lots of sun until midafternoon.  Sunshine tomorrow, a light NW breeze, high 80, low 53.  Mostly cloudy Saturday, an east breeze, high 79, low 62.  Light rain Sunday, showers Sunday night.  A SE breeze, high 74, low 64.  Scattered thunderstorms Monday, a south breeze, high 77, low 57. Partly cloudy Tuesday through Thursday, September 3rd.  WSW breezes Tuesday, high 75, low 57.  WSW breezes the rest of the work week, highs around 80, lows 56, 60 and 59.  WNW breezes Saturday the 29th, high 79, low 55.  West breezes Sunday the 30th, and Monday the 31st, highs 75 lows 55.  WNW breezes September 1st, 2ed and 3rd, highs 74, lows 55,56, and 52.

   Today's drought monitor shows us as moderate drought. Just north of us shows abnormally dry.

   We've deadheaded our peonies. After a frost we'll trim them to 2 or 3 inches tall, removing the cut stems to prevent fungal diseases.  Peonies don't want winter mulch unless they are new plants.  A light cover of pine needles is enough for new plants.  Remove them in the spring.  Most years they don't need to be watered but this year mine would like a good soaking.  A soaking that wets the soil down five inches.

   All new planting needs to be monitored for moisture.  When watering, water the shrub, tree or perennial deeply.  If you don't water deeply the plant will have shallow roots and be short lived.  

   May your day be blessed, Sally

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