Yeah. We failed to stop global warming, and here we are. The climate has changed, and the weather patterns are now spazzing out. Here is my garden log for the week. I find it helpful to circle back to these entries as I plan future plantings.
10/1/26
Although it’s technically fall now, I keep calling it “late summer” by mistake because it’s been so hot in San Diego. I thought the worst was behind us after we had those nasty heat waves in September. But I was wrong. The heat continues, and then I hear the storms will be bad this year. In short, it’ll be too much of everything—the cold, the heat, and the methane farts.
I remember it being colder when I was younger and living in IB. Nine and shivering in line with my classmates on a gray and foggy morning, waiting to be led to our classroom. The sharp, icy wall of air pushing deliciously against me as I walked to the trolley station. I read somewhere that our growing seasons have shifted warmer in the last fifteen years or so, so maybe it’s not just me.
10/2/26
IT’S 101 DEGREES AND IT’S TOO DANGDIGITTY HOT
I ventured outside to check on the garden and the shade cloth had flown off the garden bed. I left Daniel with my hubster inside because it was too hot for a baby. My zucchini and squash plants lurched in place and waved in the breeze with withered leaves.
I hurried over to clip the shade cloth back on and started the garden hose. The water was warm but not boiling. I watered the beds and other pots before going back inside. Hopefully a bit of shade and water will help the plants feel better.
Forgot to check on Patricia, the fat spider behind the rack, on my way back to the house. Hope she managed to move to a shadier spot.
10/3/26
Today was worse—105 degrees.
The shade cloth ended up entangling and causing the A frame rack and tomato cages to fall. I don’t know if the pumpkin squash survived that but only time will tell. It’s leaves are crunchy and it has taken on a sickeningly light green hue.
Joe helped me put the cage and the rack back on. But now I’m trying to figure out how to protect the two garden beds tomorrow. I don’t know if this means the end for my zucchini plants. They look like they’re over it. They look real raggedy but they are still growing flowers, so maybe?
Ate three cherry tomatoes tonight. They came from a seed library packet called “tomatoes – rainbow cherry mix” . Thought about saving the seeds but the juice is the best part. I managed to save two seeds that got stuck in my mouth. I plan to donate a portion of the seeds to the library. The color is half green, half orange that deepens into a brown. I’m guessing the other seeds will grow into various colors.
Notes to self:
- This “rainbow cherry mix” tomato plant ended up growing maybe 2 feet tall. No need for a long tomato cage, just use a regular short one.
- Grow multiples next time. These tomatoes are plumper than I expected, and taste good.
- Do not put it in direct sun on the patio. It will hate it. Put in shade.
All right. Baby Daniel is finally asleep and I am nodding off but still need a shower. Gonna put him in the crib and hopefully he will stay asleep.
Goals for tomorrow:
- Shade the zucchini and pumpkin beds
- Pick that ripe zucchini?
- Pick tomatoes and okra as needed
- Water plants, maybe twice
10/4/26
Baby Daniel did not stay asleep. But I had some fun dreams including a continuation of previous dreams in which I realized I was about to fail a literature course I had barely attended all semester.
Watered the plants this morning and added more water to the birds’ water bowl. Last night I rinsed and filled the outdoor cats’ water bowl. I can’t stop global warming on my own but I can give these birds and cats a drink and hopefully a little place to rest.
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