A Few Bright Spots in the December Garden

We had over 5 inches of rain at my house the last two days of November.  It has rained since, and heavily yesterday, but I don't have rainfall information, as I rely on my neighbor down the street for the specifics, but I do know that the direct Knoxville area received between 3 and 6 inches of rain the last two days of November, which is a good start considering the extreme drought we have been experiencing.  I know it is nothing like the 5-year drought that ended recently where my mom lives in Texas, or California droughts, but Tennessee is not an area familiar with drought and it has been a rather shocking experience.

The good news, from my immediate perspective is that the drain I put in the back of the yard in the late summer worked well during the downpours, both last week and yesterday, and the back half of my lawn and flower beds are no longer a swamp.  This is a good thing.  The hill behind my house also held.  It could use some more attractive vegetation but I am happy as long as it is not washing down into my yard.   There is an area that is still washing out, but as it is common area, the HOA is collecting proposals on how to address that particular problem.  For the first time since moving here, I do not have a sea of mud following a major rain, and I am able to enjoy the patio and walkway.  Well, I will be able to enjoy it once it gets a little warmer and I remove some wet leaves.

The garden has not completely gone dormant either.  There are a few small blooms here and there, an occasional rose in the side yard, although the knockout roses in the front may be done for the season, and the camellias are blooming steadily now.  I also, surprisingly, got a second batch of habaneros and another batch of jam was promptly dispatched.  There are more habanero peppers on the plant, and despite a few nights in the 20s the plant is still going strong.  I however, may be done with summer fruits and ready to put out holiday decorations.