September in Phoenix

It was down in the mid 90's this afternoon, such a relief after weeks [months?] of temps between 105 and 115. 

{Look at the salt residue - that's the water around here}

Got out there to do some basic chores.  Added compost that had been sitting in the wheelbarrow waiting for a while... well on its way to being processed, that. *phew*  Watered and spun the compost bin.  That's an act that's really easiest with two people.  Doing it solo requires some dexterity in reach and pull.  I'll feel it tomorrow. 

{Sun scorched and salt speckled. With a dead stick I missed pulling. oops. And some shredded paper I've been using as mulch - the birds like to kick it out of the pots.  And the endless eucalyptus leaf drop from the tree next door.  What a mess.}

Topped off some pots with finished compost.  Wandered around with the camera, taking a few pics.  Trimmed dead bits off things.  Witnessed the dead, administered some last rites.  After the long oven, things are really looking peaked. 

Summer never really seems to end around here. The weather will now be summery until mid October, when it will cool down again to comfortable temps. 

On the brighter side, this Benjamin Ficus that I brought all the way from Michigan is putting out new growth.  I had it in a sunny south window up north.  It got great sun in the winter time.  Down here, we have a south window, but by some quirk of the angle of the house, the plant never gets direct sun.  It's been slowly fading.  I've had it since it was a twig of a cutting, and I love this plant. 

So I'm really glad to see it's sending out new growth all over the place.  Hope, yet.  Hope.  Still a good thing. 

Comments

[swamp4me]

Best of luck with your ficus. I've got one that I'm trying to revive after moving it from the old house to the new one - a whopping distance of 1 mile!

[marianne]

I'm jealous of your water garden! Without walls or fences here, any water feature becomes a watering hole :-)

[Ilona]

Love the cool look of your water lily.
When I visited my son during his time in Phoenix I noticed the ficus trees grow there as landscape plants. Ever think about taking a cutting and planting it in the yard there one it is well rooted?