After the storm

Last Friday we had over 160 mm (over six inches) of rain and very strong winds, it was the remains of tropical storm Debby; over 250K people lost their electricity. I thought there was very little damage but today I am hearing about many flooded basements (including in this area where we had many basements flooded just last summer), washed out roads, and people still without electricity. I have also heard that back water valves sometimes don't work, flimsy plastic or metal valves can't stop a surge of water from the city's sewer system. So, this seems to be the face of the future, flooded basements every summer and the City of Montreal doing nothing substantial about it. Here is the garden the day after the storm.

        

Bee balm

Hostas

Fog at Gilbert Layton Park, December 2023

 It was 6C and rainy; fog settled over the soccer field.                   

Crow keeping out of the rain

It was raining and this crow was sitting under the apple tree in our backyard keeping out of the rain. I know how he felt, I was just leaving for a walk and I was already wet. I had something in common with the crow. 

 

Sunlight, Water, Soil, Plants

For a good garden you need at least three of four things: sunlight, water, good soil, and healthy plants. 

Not much sunlight, then plant hostas. 

No tap water, then collect on rain water. 

Soil problems, try making compost or buy bags of soil. 

If you need more plants for your garden, then it's time to go to a garden center, or maybe someone will give you seeds or plants from their garden. 

Miss these ingredients and it will be difficult to have the garden you want.

Bee balm

Cone flowers

Day lilies, bee balm

Bee balm, day lilies