Yesterday morning i was out looking at the fig trees and nextdoor neighbor came out and said Marty theres a nasty storm coming real soon with high winds they said on the TV.
I knew it was getting more dark out and i gandered up at the sky and saw how quick the patch of dark was coming towards us.

I started to move the 1 and 2 gallon pots from edge of patio to under house eve and against the wall.

Then starting moving the medium size pots from patio to under the eve.
Then it came and i felt like Dorothy in Wizard of Oz very briefly as it came and went very quickly.

In a flash some of the pots on the rocks knocked over and i was scrambling grabbing first the kalamata plant <<damaged in past>> and carrying it to the shed door out of the direct wind.
Then it rained but not very much here in yard.

All in all a few got knocked over and were fine.
On the 4pm new the weather guy called it a Derecho .
He said the weather pattern was going thru Pennsylvania at the moment.
They showed how some trees damaged houses here in Illinois.

It was reported that 750,000 lost power and some will be out for days.
We are used to wind here but this was little more than usual.

Anyione else have this come thru there state as it passed thru the midwest ?
Here is link to what was said about it.

http://blog.chicagoweathercenter.com/

We just got the tail end here in Canada, lots of rain low temps in mid day but the wind wasn't too bad, I only have a couple top heavy plants blow over, however I also use a heavy, but fast draining, potting mix.  Coconut with sheep manure.

Heard lots of good things about Coir. Obviously very renewable.

Martin ,
 That's it , now is the time for you to move to Florida.

Martin.

I almost wish that front did come through my area. We at least need a cool front in a bad way. The temps here have hovered around 100F for the past few days. My thermometer says 99F as I type.

Accuweather says our heat index is 118F right now. Phew! We need some rain! My winter squash plants, as well as some of my fig trees, need some relief!

@Martin, sorry for taking this off topic for one sec...

@Bill, on the topic of squash, I planted some of that straightneck squash you gave me back in winter '09 this year.  Four plants came up as expected.  No problems with SBV, amazingly.  It flowers profusely, but what I've noticed is that the flowers tend to mold and fall off, and sometimes the mold travels to the fruit.  The last two weeks, all of the flowers are covered with what look like fruit flies.  Have you seen this on yours also?

Martin, up here in MI, we did get that high wind, and it knocked a couple figs over, and dumped a baby fig off a plant rack. No harm done, but it sure blasted through here in a hurry! One minute, it looked like rain, next thing, POW! We sure needed the rain, too.

Where will you be getting the Olive trees from?  I've been looking around and can't find a good solid source for them.

Jason, I haven't looked real close at the flowers yet but by first appearances, this doesn't seem to be an issue. I will have a closer look though now that you've mentioned it.

A few of my plants have just started wilting and then go Kaput! Not sure what's going on. Some still look quite healthy while others have just died. Not sure if it's the heat or what.

Mind you these are a large winter type squash. The vines grow like pumpkins and the variety is Marina Di Chioggia. They originate from somewhere in Italy. Not growing any summer squash right now.

Martin, sorry about us getting a bit off topic. 

Bill, it's probably SVB (Squash Vine Borers).  Hit Google for more info.  Thanks for the response, back to topic ;)

The wind storm claimed one of the older ash tree's here in illinois
it came down but had good life at 265 years old.

Martin,

I picked up my load in Mishawaka, In. yesterday around 10am and I was on the phone with another member while I was driving. Using my bluetooth of course. Many lightening's and trees on the roadway.

I would say yes, it was nasty.

Annie,
Are you the same Annie from Ypsilanti? Like the rhyme?

Rafed, yes, that would be me!

Been to Ypsilanti several times .

How's everything with you Annie?
How's that Sals C I gave you? Is it growing?

You have to make a trip to my house before the season is over. Show you my collection.

Hey, Rafed, you've got mail!