A Record-Breaking Wet Season ... My Dry Tropics Garden Journal ... Beginning of Autumn, Week 13, March 2025

Garden Journal Entry - Week 13

Seasons:  early Autumn & end of Wet Season
Daytime Temps:  28°C - 32°C            
Night Time Temps: 24°C - 26°C
Humidity Levels: 80 to 100%     
Hours of daylight:  12 hours
Rainfall:  357 mm  (14 inches) 

As March comes to a close, so (supposedly) does our 2024-2025 wet season - but what a wet season it has been!   These were the figures from our Bureau of Meteorology at the start of this week:

Since 1 January 2025, Townsville Airport has received 2,042 mm (80 inches)!

This is almost double the annual median of 1,083 mm (using 84 years of records) and we are only in March.

Our annual rainfall record for Townsville is 2,399.8 mm (94 inches), set in 2000.

February 2025 was the wettest month on record (for any month) at Townsville Airport with 1,198
mm (47 inches) – over four-times the February median rainfall.

Our rainfall, so far, for March (1 – 24) has been 761.8 mm (30 inches) – our wettest March on
record, breaking the previous record set in 2011 of 696.2 mm.

Looking back over the entire wet season, 1 October 2024 – 9 a.m. 24 March 2025,
we’ve had 2,686.6 mm (105 inches) of rain!













In the five days since these figures were shared, the weather station at the airport has recorded another 244 mm making the total 2,927.2 mm (115 inches).

That means we've now exceeded our all-time annual record in just six months!

The sheer volume of rain has transformed the landscape. My rural suburb is completely saturated, with standing water everywhere. In fact, a neighbour recently shared a jaw-dropping photo of water gushing out of the top of a borehole—something that simply doesn’t happen under normal conditions! 

Usually, boreholes are drilled deep underground to access groundwater, but this season’s relentless rain has pushed aquifer levels so high that water is now bubbling up to the surface unassisted.

With nowhere left to go, the rainwater is pooling in enormous puddles (some are more like lakes at this point). The soil is beyond saturated, and my garden is feeling the effects. Everything is lush and green, but after months of overcast skies, my plants are desperate for sunlight. The sun has made a few brief appearances, but it never seems to stay for more than an hour or two before retreating behind thick clouds again.

When there's sunshine, no matter how briefly, there is a sudden influx of butterflies and other insects carrying out their pollination duties.

Gardening?  Not So Much!

Gardening tasks are almost impossible right now. The ground is so sodden and slippery that it's actually quite dangerous—especially for someone like me, who's been battling with knee and mobility issues. I’ve attempted a bit of weeding here and there, but it’s a losing battle. Within days, the weeds are back, growing even more vigorously than before.

One plant, in particular, is proving to be borderline invasive in the shadehouse garden — Strobilanthes alternata (syn. Hemigraphis alternata), also known as red ivy, red-flame ivy, or waffle plant. It has taken full advantage of the wet conditions, popping up everywhere, even in hanging baskets! 

While I’ve tried to remove it from the more accessible areas, it simply mocks my efforts, bouncing back stronger each time.

Fighting Pests And Plant Damage Amidst The Rain

If the weed growth wasn’t frustrating enough, the hordes of hungry pests certainly are! 

Hawkmoth caterpillars have completely devoured several of my Impatiens and Pentas, stripping them bare.

Grasshoppers have been having their own feast, tearing into the leaves of my Begonias, Coleus and Plectranthus.

Some of the Impatiens plants, which had grown nearly half a metre tall, simply rotted away at the base of the stems due to the constant moisture.

Thankfully, I'm now seeing signs of new growth emerging from underground, which gives me hope that they will return to their former glory.

I've been making the effort to get out daily and do damage control in the garden spaces I'm able to access — the shadehouse and courtyard garden spaces - and I've been relocating hawkmoth caterpillars, crushing grasshoppers, and wiping off aphids. Despite my efforts, many plants are still riddled with holes, but some resilient beauties continue to push through.

I can’t deny that the wet season has brought some spectacular growth to the garden, but now I’m hoping for a shift in the weather—some bright, warm days to dry out the soil and give my plants the energy they need to thrive. 

Moments Of Beauty In The Chaos

Despite the challenges, my garden still has its highlights. 

While wandering around in between rain showers, I startled a mother Agile Wallaby and her joey as they foraged for food. 

Most of the other Agile Wallabies have moved back into the surrounding bushland, but for some reason, this mother has chosen to stay near our property.

 I often see her lounging in our “yard,” which is really just an overgrown weed patch at this point!

This Week's Garden Highlights:

🌿 Murraya paniculata (Mock Orange) has been taking turns to flower, filling the air with its heavenly scent.  (Top left in the collage)

🌿 Pseudomussaenda flava (White Wings) is covered in bright yellow flowers and striking white bracts.  (Top right)

🌿 Tabebuia heterophylla (Pink Trumpet Tree) has started another bloom cycle, showing off its delicate soft pink flowers.  (Bottom left)

🌿 Allamanda cathartica continues to put on a cheerful display of bright yellow blooms.  (Bottom right in the collage above)

🌿 Impatiens, Coleus, Torenias, and Cordylines persist, despite all the efforts of pests to reduce them to nothing.

Even in the midst of this extreme wet season, there are moments of beauty and resilience to be found. I just hope for some strong, dry sunshine soon to help the garden (and myself!) recover from this relentless rain.

Rain, Blooms & Seasonal Shifts ... My Dry Tropics Garden Journal ... Beginning of Autumn, Week 12, March 2025

Garden Journal Entry - Week 12

Seasons:  early Autumn & Wet Season
Daytime Temps:  26°C - 30°C            
Night Time Temps: 22°C - 24°C
Humidity Levels: 70 to 100%     
Hours of daylight:  12 hours 5 mins
Rainfall:   mm  ( inches) 

It's been another week of relentless rain here in the foothills, with a whooping 261 mm (10 inches) falling over the past seven days.  The inner city has been hit harder, recording 563 mm (22 inches) in the same period - adding to an already record-breaking month!  With near-constant grey skies and rain, day and night, gardening has taken a back seat.

I did manage to spot a sliver of blue sky this morning, but it was a fleeting vision!  Despite the dreary weather, the temperatures have been rather lovely, hovering between 26 to 28°C most days.  With the March equinox arriving yesterday, we've officially entered the season of shorter, cooler days.  

Rainy Days and Minimal Garden Work

With all this rain, my garden tasks have been minimal.  The only work I've managed this week, during the brief dry spells, has been some light weeding and monitoring plant health out in the shade house garden where there is little ventilation during these rather still days.  

But even with the lack of sunshine, Mother Nature is still putting on a show.

Signs Of Autumn:  Acacias In Bloom

A sure sign that autumn has arrived in the dry tropics is the blooming of our native Acacias (Wattles).  I've spotted them in full display out in the surrounding bushland and in our neighbour's yard during quick strolls between showers.  

There are two varieties around here - 

one with golden yellow flowers 

and another with a softer, pale lemon hue.  

Unlike their southern counterparts, which bloom in September (our spring), the Acacias here in the north flower from March through to May, bringing golden highlights to the landscape.

The Golden Rain Tree and Peanut Tree Put On A Show

The Koelreuteria paniculata, or Golden Rain Tree, is another autumn star.  The tree near my fence line is covered in golden flower clusters, and striking red papery seed capsules.  It's a spectacular sight against the otherwise grey backdrop of rainy days.

Another native beauty, the Sterculia quadrifida, or Peanut Tree, is also making the most of the season.  Right now, it's bursting with clusters of small, fragrant cream-white blossoms, a classic feature of autumn in our region. 

The Peanut Tree is a feature planting in the courtyard garden and is providing a carpet of little blossoms for the brick pavers at the moment.  The area does require a bit of a clean-up after a few days.

A Last Splash Of Summer:  Cassia fistula

The Cassia fistula (the Golden Shower Tree) has also been holding onto the last bit of summer, with a few bright yellow, pendulous flower sprays still clinging to its branches.  This tree typically blooms in the heat of summer, but it's been a pleasant surprise to see it hanging on a little longer this year, adding a pop of colour at the back of the courtyard garden.

Looking Ahead

With more rain in the forecast, I suspect garden wok will remain light for a little while longer.  As we move further into autumn though, I'm looking forward to watching more seasonal changes unfold.

This Week's Garden Highlights:

While out and about this week, I noticed lots of lovely butterflies fluttering through the garden, taking advantage of whatever brief sunshine they could find.  I also came across quite a number of very large brown stick insects hanging around in the garden beds.  Their clever camouflage always amazes me - if I hadn't been looking closely, I might have missed them entirely!  

How is your garden faring in this wet season?  Are you spotting any autumn bloomers or interesting garden visitors?

Variable Wet Season Weather & A Surprise From Mother Nature ... My Dry Tropics Garden, Beginning of Autumn, Week 11, March 2025

Garden Journal Entry - Week 11

Seasons:  early Autumn & Wet Season
Daytime Temps:  29°C - 34°C            
Night Time Temps: 23°C - 25°C
Humidity Levels: 70 to 90%     
Hours of daylight:  12 hours 15 mins
Rainfall:  76 mm  (3 inches) 

A February To March Update

After nearly a month's break from my online garden journal, it's time to catch up on what's been happening in my garden from mid-February to mid-March (end of Summer and start of Autumn).  These past few weeks have been a whirlwind of weather events, with a setback or two, and a visit from a beloved family member.  Amidst all of this, there has been some progress out in the garden, and a lesson or two learned. 

Battling Heat, Heavy Rain and Humidity  (the usual summertime conditions)

The biggest challenge this past month (& the previous two months) has been the wet season conditions.  There is never a 'typical' wet season, so every year it's like starting over anew, awaiting whatever Mother Nature has in store!  Just because the rain finally makes an appearance in the summertime, that doesn't mean pleasant weather has arrived and it's paradise outside.

February this year brought record-breaking heat.  The day after I published my last garden journal blog post, the daytime high soared to 37.7°C, which ended up being the hottest day in the month of February, about seven degrees above average  (highlighted in red print and red background in the table below).

Weather Information for the Last Two Weeks of February 2025

Following that excruciatingly hot day, the daytime temps. sat up around 32 / 33 °C for the remainder of February.  With the high daytime humidity levels usually sitting round 60 to 70% as well, it felt more like 37°C each and every day for the last two weeks of February.  Some called it a "heatwave", but locals just called it "summer"!   

The conditions made gardening nearly impossible, except for very, very brief early-morning and late-evening sessions.

The intense UV rays made it even trickier for me, as I manage skin cancer issues and need to be cautious with sun exposure.  

The UV Index sat at 'high' to 'very high' by 8.00 am every morning and then shot up to 'extreme' by 10.00 am.  At that rating level, most people need to apply sunscreen every 15 minutes to protect their skin from harmful UV radiation.  I need to retreat indoors!

After the record-breaking rain that fell in early February, rain continued to fall to the end of that month resulting in a total of nearly 1200 mm / 47 inches, making February 2025 the wettest ever on record in our region.

The start of March, and the start of our Autumn, saw a short break in the rainfall, but not the heat.  We have seen record daytime highs continuing, along with the oppressively high humidity levels.

Weather Information for the First Two Weeks of March

This past week has seen the return of rain, usually arriving in the afternoons after stifling, sweltering mornings.  These afternoon showers and the cool breezes that have followed bought about noticeable changes in temperatures at the end of the day.

While the rain over this last week has provided relief at times from the heat, the rain over this whole wet season has caused hurdles for the garden which need continued attention - waterlogging, nutrient leaching and soil compaction.

Visitor Stay

A delightful interruption came in the form of a visitor who ended up staying longer than expected.  His return home flight was cancelled a couple of times, because of an impending cyclone that was expected to cross the coast down south near our state's capital city, near his home.  Whilst that caused him some concern, we were glad his stay continued a little longer than planned.  Thankfully, Cyclone Alfred caused little trouble at his place!

While the visitor's stay paused my gardening activities, it offered a welcome break filled with leisurely breakfasts, local explorations, and insightful conversations.  It was wonderful taking the time to create new treasured memories.

Dealing With Injury

Just as I was getting back into the swing of things, I injured my knee, forcing another gardening hiatus.  Even simple tasks like weeding had to be put on hold.  It was a frustrating setback, but it reminded me that garden maintenance can become a little more difficult as one ages, requiring a deal of patience and forethought when it comes to the lifting and moving tasks that are often required.  

Garden Progress Amidst All Of This:

Pruning and Cleanup

The excessive rain encouraged rapid plant growth, resulting in some plants becoming leggy and weak.  Constant downpours also caused branches to snap or break off entirely.  Once the rain eased, the sudden full-sun exposure scorched leaves, adding to the damage.

To counteract this, I focused on pruning - removing damaged parts to promote healthier, stronger regrowth.  My other half and I tackled the fallen branches and green debris, overfilling a large trailer before taking it all to the local waste facility.

 

Another major task was clearing out overgrown ferns in one section of the shade house garden.

Thankfully, they were easy to pull out, though I still managed to fill five wheelbarrows with the debris so it became a bigger job than expected!

Once cleared, I added a fresh layer of mulch to help retain moisture for the coming dry season and suppress further overgrowth.

I also moved some of the potted plants around to give the spaces a bit of a re-vamp.

Driveway Garden Makeover

One of the most noticeable improvements was the completion of the weeding and mulching job on one section of the long driveway garden beds.  The difference is striking.  The photos above show just one end of this section.   You can see just how lush the weed growth was in the top photo and what the rocky garden bed looks like now it's cleared of all those noxious weeds.  

This end though remains a bit of a challenge - the rocky, exposed area has proven difficult for plant success.  I've tried hardy plants like Russelia, Crotons and others over the years, but nothing has thrived.  Leaving it bare isn't an option, so I'll need to do some thinking and planning.  I want something that will provide colour, will survive in full sun, will grow in poor soil and won't take over the space completely.

Soil Restoration and Nutrient Boosting 

The record rainfall received this wet season has taken a toll on soil quality, particularly in the courtyard garden beds, washing away essential nutrients.  To remedy this, I have applied a top dressing of general-purpose fertiliser with trace elements.

In areas where the rain had caused severe soil compaction, I have added nutrient-rich soil to restore balance.

Fascinating Plant Adaptations

One of the most intriguing observations from this wet season has been the response of certain plants - Acalyphas, Coleus and Begonia - to the prolonged moisture.  They began producing aerial roots, likely as an adaptation to oxygen-deficient conditions caused by waterlogging.  This natural survival mechanism helped them absorb additional oxygen and moisture, a fascinating reminder of how resilient plants can be.

Looking Ahead:  Next Steps In The Garden

As we move through March, my focus will be on:

✅ Re-potting plants affected by the wet season
✅ Continuing soil enrichment to restore lost nutrients
✅ Further pruning and reshaping plants for healthier growth
✅ Planning and experimenting with new plants in the problem areas

Despite the setbacks, every day in the garden is an opportunity to learn as a caretaker of this ever-evolving garden.  The changing seasons always bring new challenges, but they also bring renewal and fresh possibilities.  

A Surprise Event At The Start Of March

March 1st brought an unexpected shock - literally!  At 9.39 pm, our region experienced a 4.4 magnitude earthquake at a depth of 10 metres.  The epicentre was close to Townsville, and the tremors shook houses across our city. 

For those of us near the epicentre, the seismic waves arrived suddenly and in one intense burst, making for a frightening experience.  Those farther away felt a slower, rolling, rumbling motion.  Around 4,000 properties lost power, but thankfully there were no injuries or major damage reported.

After the record-breaking rainfall in February, an earthquake was the last thing any of us expected.  It was a stark reminder of how unpredictable Mother Nature can be.

This Week's Garden Highlights: What's Blooming?