Hot and wet

Starting the day on Saturday harvesting for the farmers' market was a hot and brutal slog.  Evidence of the hot, dry weather was everywhere, from reduced yields on some crops to the outright failure of others.  The heavier soils in most of the gardens have mitigated the drought stress, but only enough to keep the plants alive.  The forecast was for more of the same which made the sudden storm at 2 p.m. even more welcome.  We received .8" in about an hour.  Thanks to the fact most of my gardens are on level ground the rain had no choice but to percolate into the soil.  The result was a wholesale rejuvenation and an improved outlook for the rest of the season.  More rain is predicted for the week, but most of it will come in scattered thunderstorms which may or may not fall at Casa Monzeglio. Fortunately, the emergency is over for now.