Not sure how much of a difference it made, but I deadheaded and cleaned out the zinnias and cosmos in my three-tiered flower bed tonight. The hope is that the flowers will be tricked into some new growth. Whether that will actually happen with temperatures between 95 and 100 for several weeks remains to be seen. But I’m giving it a try.

Actually, the flowers are doing really well in the heat, especially if they get a little water every day. The cherry tomatoes are producing quite nicely, too. I’m finally able to take a little bag of them to work every day to munch on. My favorite summertime snack!