July and August are challenging months for gardens in northern California. The weather has been sunny and hot, and rain typically does not fall in the summer. Our evenings cool off, making for pleasant sleeping weather. Microclimates are easy noted. Temperatures can have a 17 degree C difference for cities only 65 km apart.
Several forest fires are burning throughout the state. One fire is already in the top ten worst fires for California, and it is only 25% contained as of today. Of note is that 9/10 of these most destructive fires occurred since 2000. Also, autumn was typically considered to be the start of fire season season since the grasses are at their driest. Fire season is now growing and may become a year round threat.
Some fires start from lightning strikes, some from sparks from machinery, and some are purposely set.
Our garden has a new sunflow plant blooming, dome tomatoes, and new Meyer lemons growing. The hops plant is not getting taller. I guess that we won't be harvesting hops for beer making this year.
