After two weeks of travel, Barbara and I have returned home. We were aware of the flooding rainfall while we were away, and while there was some damage nearby, we suffered no serious issues. But yes, after a brief stroll, I can see that parts of the garden turned briefly to raging rivers that swept every loose particle downstream.

The ground cover of decaying leaves and twigs was swept away with bare soil left behind and piles of debris accumulated beside shrubs and covering ferns in the shaded side garden. Some labor will be required, but this will be quick work and no harm has been done except it leaves bare ground that will not be covered until the autumn leaf drop.

Interestingly, the hole left when the Bigleaf magnolia toppled in an earlier storm was filled with soil eroded by the rushing water (above). I planned to excavate soil to fill the hole, but the labor saved will now go toward the cleanup.

As expected, weeds have flourished in my absence. I minimize the time I spend weeding, and really, the task is not so time-consuming when it is done a little at a time. The shaded areas of the garden will be tidied up in no time, but the sunnier, lower rear garden is a weedy mess. Wide-spreading weeds will soon be pulled, knowing that many roots will be missed so a follow-up will be required.

I don’t pay much attention to the lawn, but in consideration of the neighbors, I mowed before we departed. Of course, the grass is now tall with damp areas of nutgrass much taller. As soon as the small areas of lawn are dry enough, I’ll mow again, but it might be several days before this rainy period ends.

While plants in the garden are adapted to survival without supplemental irrigation, none are accustomed to the volume of moisture we’ve experienced over the past weeks. A few shrubs that showed signs of stress two weeks ago have deteriorated further. I expect a few might be lost, but hope others will revive after a few dry days. If it ever stops raining.