Hommel Mangas
As one does, I was perusing the National Integrated Drought Information System (or NIDIS) after unkept-promises of .2-inches of rain came and disappeared like the dust after a recent mowing.
The NIDIS states that “139,654 people in Johnson County are affected by drought.” They also inform us that we have just experienced the “48th driest August on record, over the past 130 years.”
Like many of you, I have come to question weather forecasts, as they are quite unreliable. Oh sure, I admit I still check the weather report before resting my head on my pillow at night and upon rising. But let’s just say, I don’t lay out my yellow galoshes and slicker unless I actually hear the sound of incessant water flowing through my roof gutters and downspouts.
What has been a more reliable weather predictor is my hosta friend Carol, who lives in Monrovia. She lives directly west, so when she posts on social media that it’s raining, I know we’re going to get rain. Lately she’s been the bearer of bad, but honest, news: “Well, the dreaded I-70 split has reared its ugly self!” That means the rain missed us and went north. The gardener’s interpretation to this statement is, “Get out the water hoses again.”
Of course, not everything is feeling the drought. My celosia are quite happy and blooming with great passion. I do remember seeing a courtyard of celosia flowering at the Red Fort in India in an ongoing drought and 97 degree heat, so an Indiana drought is no big deal to them.
My Luscious® Citrus Blend lantana continue to thrive and flower, drawing in hummingbirds and butterflies. My hydrangea are surprisingly blooming blue again. Our field of zinnia are starting to look a bit worn and tired, but they continue to flower as opposed to the absolutely done sunflowers.
The pink/mauve New England asters that I’ve been wanting to yank out for years continue to grow and bloom prolifically — it seems the pollinators have outvoted me, so they’ll stay.
My vibrant dark blue, Black and Bloom Salvia continue to feed the honeybees and hummingbirds. And my Red Ombre’ Coneflower, which are actually the palette orange, continue to flower and give a pop in the garden.
The 10-day forecast called for an 85% chance of rain on Friday and 60% chance Saturday — which means I’ll definitely be watering today.
But I may have my galoshes within reach just in case Helene drops by.
Janet Hommel Mangas grew up on the east side of Greenwood. The Center Grove area resident and her husband are the parents of three daughters. Send comments to [email protected].
