Scratchy

Our cactus named Scratchy has bloomed for the first time. The bloom was wide open early in the morning and closed by late afternoon.

This July has been the hottest month on record here. There were only 5 days in which the high temperature did not reach 100. The average high temperature was 102. Gardening does continue in such conditions. We received .8 inch rain on July 1, .2 on July 19, .2 on the 22nd, and .3 inch yesterday, July 31 for a total of 1 1/2 inches rain for the month. We are in extreme drought conditions in our area of Texas.

About half of the rows in the garden are ready for the fall planting, which will begin very soon. They have been turned, treated with organic fertilizer and greensand, and treated to an addition of compost.