Friday, May 6, 2016

Gardeners---The case for patience this spring


Conditions require a little bit of self control

Planting in mushy soil is never a good idea – the soil compaction negates any early advantage.  Likewise soil temperature should be in the 50’s.

Unless you are a frog, the forecast is not sunny:

 
High
Low
precip
Forecast
Avg. Hi
Avg. Lo
56°
47°
0.47 in
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2010/images/icons-numbered/18-h.pngCool with rain at times
69°
46°
62°
48°
0.15 in
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2010/images/icons-numbered/13-h.pngWarmer with a stray shower
69°
47°
65°
43°
0.01 in
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2010/images/icons-numbered/04-h.pngA morning shower; clearing
70°
47°
68°
50°
0.02 in
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2010/images/icons-numbered/06-h.pngIncreasing cloudiness
70°
47°
71°
57°
0.9 in
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2010/images/icons-numbered/15-h.pngCouple of thunderstorms
70°
48°
72°
55°
0.05 in
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2010/images/icons-numbered/03-h.pngA t-storm in the afternoon
70°
48°
66°
48°
0.84 in
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2010/images/icons-numbered/15-h.pngA shower and t-storm around
71°
48°
72°
49°
0 in
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2010/images/icons-numbered/07-h.pngA couple of showers possible
71°
49°
72°
49°
0.29 in
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2010/images/icons-numbered/18-h.pngPeriods of rain
71°
49°
76°
50°
0 in
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2010/images/icons-numbered/04-h.pngA blend of sun and clouds
72°
49°
72°
49°
0.64 in
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2010/images/icons-numbered/06-h.pngMostly cloudy
72°
50°
80°
57°
0.08 in
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2010/images/icons-numbered/12-h.pngWarmer with spotty showers
72°
50°
78°
54°
0 in
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2010/images/icons-numbered/06-h.pngRather cloudy
72°
50°
85°
59°
0.56 in
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2010/images/icons-numbered/06-h.pngA thunderstorm possible
72°
51°
76°
52°
0.87 in
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2010/images/icons-numbered/15-h.pngA shower and t-storm around
73°
51°
73°
52°
0.44 in
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2010/images/icons-numbered/15-h.pngCouple of thunderstorms
73°
51°
74°
52°
0 in
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2010/images/icons-numbered/04-h.pngEpisodes of sunshine
73°
52°
75°
51°
0 in
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2010/images/icons-numbered/01-h.pngSunny
74°
52°

 

Greens and the cold weather crops are certainly OK to have in by now ( and thrive in this cool rain), but your warm weather squash and beans and of course tomatos demand better conditions.

We  have  a great deal of sympathy for those with GADD (gardening attention deficit disorder) so we offer some experimental ideas which do and do not work (depending upon who is telling the story):

  • Cover the soil with dark cloth or black plastic and let the sun warm and dry the soil before planting – this is a lot of work and beware of slugs
  • Try containers first and then transplant – a lot of work but should help.
  • Try products like ‘wall o’ water’ that are specifically designed for earlybirds
  • Buy plugs for some of your vegetables – expensive, but give an early crop

In our view it is best to wait (looks like until 17 May).  The essential element is ‘degree days’ and they get stronger and stronger as May rolls out.

 

No comments:

Post a Comment