Summer is in full swing.

Relief from the heat of June found it's way here in Allen, Texas when for three glorious days we were blessed with downpours of heavenly sent rain! Mornings remain quite comfortable still allowing for walks and rides on our trike, see below right. By 10:30 the heat begins to be noticeable. This morning we rode till 11:30. Riding is cooler to begin with so is pleasant longer as the heat increases. Also, the sun was covered by clouds most of our ride. Watering our plants grass and now our trees is essencial. Bigger trees are losing limbs because of lack of water. I water individual trees showing signs of stress in the morning and evening for extended periods to help them recover. A rose of mine has not progressed as some of my others. My son, who has experience with plants and landscaping, says the lack of water is the primary reason for loss of limbs and less growth of plants like my rose. Since I planted nine hybrid tea roses all at the same time early in the spring the growth of the group is of interest to me. Having provided Miracle Grow Rose Food on a three month time period and the other roses are growing more shoots of new growth than the one mentioned before. The coincidence that that rose is planted next to the tree that has lost several branches due to stress was brought to my attention by my son. Food can only do so much. Water, he said,is essential for both. I would welcome input from those who are experiencing this same or other conditions in their plants. I have removed yellow leaves from my roses, a sign of Rust. Also, a spray with pepper juice,a product of the "Dirt Doctor", deters bugs on plants.Seven Dust helps deter a webbing on the roses. I look forward to any response related to these issues. Thanks Kathie