MY GARDEN PATH: Blink and you've missed it!

Wow, can you believe that today is the first of August? Not only has this been our hottest summer ever, it's also been the fastest when it comes to “flying by.” Not much we can do about it. Sniff.

If you act now, you'll be able to grow a second vegetable garden before the end of growing season. These are some of the fast growing plants: spinach, radishes, peas, leaf lettuce, green onions, cabbage, broccoli, bush beans and beets.

If you grew a first crop this spring, you might want to add some fertilizer to your garden area as you dig it up before planting.

Post Falls residents were notified of water restrictions on their bills dated June 30. At the bottom of each bill is this statement: “No outside irrigation” from noon to 6 p.m. Customers are allowed to water new plants and lawns that are newly hydroseeded. Odd numbered addresses are asked to water on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Even numbered addressed are asked to water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

With or without water restrictions, it's not easy keeping plants alive when it's so hot. I moved my planters to spots where they got afternoon shade. This helped a lot in keeping them from croaking. Hanging baskets have been a real lesson in futility. I admire anyone who's managed to keep theirs looking good. It's not a good summer to grow fuchsias, that's for sure.

Our neighborhood squirrels continue to amaze me as far as what they're eating this summer. For a while now, I've been finding chunks of partially eaten green pine cones on my back patio and lawn. I've never seen that in all my years here. Are they desperate for food? Just makes me wonder what's going on.

If you haven't finished digging and dividing those irises, it's not too late. Just don't put it off much longer. Irises are so shallow rooted that they need extra time before the end of summer to get ready for cold weather.

I never thought I'd say this, but I am sick of raspberries! I've lost track of how many containers of them I've picked these last few weeks. Enough already!

Something to think about: You may be a “Redneck Gardener” if:

• You consider dandelions to be a groundcover

• Your house is covered with ivy instead of paint

• Your milk cow doubles as your lawnmower

One of my friends has a novel way to beat the heat. She says that when she's outside watering her plants, she waters her feet every few minutes. I've got to try that!

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Elaine Cerny has gardened most of her life, starting in 4-H. She has belonged to garden clubs in three states and is currently an active member of the River City Gardeners Club in Post Falls. Her column has appeared in The Press every other Sunday from early March until late October for the past 12 years.