Deep roots

So far, the things doing best are those items with deep, well established roots. Trees. The grape vine isn't doing badly at all.

Still, more rebounding happening. The large tomato plant is forming new leaves.

More lettuce and spinach growing while existing ones bush out more. Now comes the problem. Temps are now climbing into the 80's. So, more of the spinach is bolting. Older plants which have survived for months but still, may not be a good sign. Afraid more lettuce may not germinate.

Turns out most of the cucumbers survived, after all. Least, I think it's cucumbers. I co-planted with peas and peas aren't coming up anywhere else. So, I think it's a valid assumption.

Potatoes are picking back up. Guess they tolerate cold better than heat. Too bad the corn isn't growing fast enough to give them more shade. Probably have tiny taters again this year.

There is one good thing. In late afternoon, with the trees getting large and bushy on the west, the temperature in the back yard is much cooler than the sunnier areas. By 6 PM, the shadows now climb most of the way up the back wall of the house.

Too bad it wouldn't work to dig the whole back yard down by a few ft and let the water seep up from below. But too much rock and too much risk to contaminate the aquifer by doing so.

Much less expensive and easier will just be getting a pump. There's one on sale at Harbor Freight which I think I'll buy. Has good reviews and pumps up to 650 gals an hour. About $40. Probably won't last for many years but will pay for itself in no time.