Popmama, the super chunky mix I use forces me to water 2x a day! The water drains right through but doesn't "stay" long enough to fully wet and saturate all the big chunks. I had tried it thinking it would be better during the summer because I tend to over water my plants, but it's become a pain in the butt. I'm in the process of repotting my plants into something finer, which would hold moisture longer. I also have a lot of my plants in 4" net pots containing this chunky mix. I'm now taking those net pots and placing them inside 6" plastic pots, which will have a finer mix filling the gap around the 4" pot. Your plant probably dried out a little. Maybe add some humidity? A little dome out of a cut soda bottle as a small terrarium? Keep us posted as to how it's doing. Best wishes for you....

Beautiful scene tonight at 1 a.m. north of Chicago. A nearly full moon is reflecting off a sparkling inch-plus of snow. Lurking under that snow is treacherous ICE. I was able to get DH to the hospital at 8:30 yesterday morning before it got fierce here. He's been admitted for treatment of low sodium levels (121 for you medical folks). He's had X-rays and CT scans so far. I hope that staff is allowing him to get up and walk to relieve his severe muscle spasms. "Monoclonus" seems to be the right term for these violent spasms in his thighs that occur as much as every ten seconds when he's lying down and last for hours. This started in September. His primary finally got him admitted, or we'd still be looking at appointments for tests months from now.

Larry, maybe weather patterns have changed because my Mom said her grandparents always said "knee high by July" regarding corn. It meant that the corn was coming along/on track for a good outcome/harvest. I'm pretty sure our tallest corn is taller than me now....and have silks. Lynn, unless the plants are just completely awful/dead, I'll leave them and often they'll make fruit again when it cools down. But, I realize everyone of us has reasons for growing and gardening the way we do. We have our schedules that work for us. We're all different. Nancy, grasshoppers don't like being wet. It slows them down. So, spraying them with water gives me a few seconds to smash them. I watered this morning but didn't take a lot of time to focus on them, although around 20 went to grasshopper heaven. It's pretty hot out there already so I came in at 11 instead of noon. I might go out and try to braid the garlic. We had a great harvest this year. Super excited about it. Does anyone know if onions can get sun scald in the garden? Plans for today: Stella leaves, so I'll send her off in a bit. Then, maybe putting the kraut into jars? Maybe I'll wait one more day. Rick is coming out this evening to check the SG to see if it needs watered. Everything else is watered. I know that ground level watering is the best, but has anyone used the tripod sprinklers in their gardens. Two of our neighbors have purchased those and it looks like a good way to water the SG. We can't run dripline in that garden because Rick likes to keep the rows fresh and fluffy with the Mantis. If I can take the heat, I might try to tie up the tomatoes in the SG. Those tomatoes are full of fruit but look like crap. There are 19 jars of diced tomatoes in the pantry from 2021. I sure would like to get an additional 2 dozen put up. Rick needs to replenish at his house too. The overflow tomatoes--the ones that looked horrible from the potting mix--look wonderful. Especially the ones behind the shop. So weird. Andria, if you're reading this, how do they look in the community garden? I was truly embarrassed to bring them to SF. I should have forced all of you to take some because they look great now. haha. In the summer, I really like to sleep in to 7 or 7:30. I'm considering getting outdoors by 6 and then napping in the afternoon. On my days off work, of course. Take it easy out there, People.

Flo, thank you for posting the vintage look LED bulbs. I am going to order some. Years ago I had a Rennai tankless hot water heater installed. Runs off my propane tanks I have for a Vermont Castings propane stove for backup heat, because I’m in Maine. Always have plenty of hot water, never ran out. Love it.