Summer Drought

by YankeeJim | August 3, 2011 at 05:58 am

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Potomac Overlook Park Garden

From looking at the clouds the other evening, you wouldn’t think there was a drought here in Northern Virginia, but there is. In the micro climate of the Potomac Overlook Park at Donaldson Run, the garden is flourishing only because the gardeners are there working it every day and ensuring that it is watered.

I ran into chief naturalist Martin Ogle and asked, “Did you harvest all of the fruit from the trees? Apples and pears, everything is gone?”

He replied that squirrels have eaten everything because there is a drought.

The beans, squash, and tomatoes look fine, though I can tell the woods is suffering.

Can you imagine the Native Americans cultivating a garden here in the long hot summer? They would have to go to the spring to fill containers with water and carry it to the garden. That takes work and consumes calories. I bet there weren’t many squirrels living in the area while the hungry natives were working the garden.

“Parts of Virginia Dealing With Drought Conditions By Aaron Sinclair

With much of our area experiencing a recent heat wave, eastern Virginia is now dealing with a moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

The Monitor is a service provided by the National Weather Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture and other agencies. Click here for an in-depth look at the drought conditions in Virginia.

Temperatures hit 100 degrees is parts of the state as far as Richmond, causing abnormally dry conditions.

Last year more than two-thirds of Virginia experienced similar conditions that hurt crops and livestock.”