Slowww Growin!

[Rena]

We are experiencing so much cool weather, not much is growing. Not much rain, just coooooollll temps! How is it for the rest of y'all?

Rena

[Trisha in WA]

Hi Rena,
I didn't get a garden planted this year...just too much other stuff going on. I did plant 2 small planters with arugula and cilantro though...the arugula is coming up already. I also have 2 tomato plants that Mom sent over with me that are just pitiful! Oh well...I'll get the green house up by fall and get some greens planted in there to eat on over winter.
Just seems weird to not have a garden to tend to.
Trisha

[Rena]

I'm sorry to hear that Trisha. With the way this year has gone, it has sure been a struggle trying to get things planted/protected/planted/protected...  Our weather has been so weirdly crazy this year!

Have you heard how folk are planting tomatoes in upside down 5 gallon buckets? It is pretty cool actually and they hang just like a hanging pot does! Anyway, that might be an option for your tomato plants!

I bet it is weird not having a garden, I know it would be for me too. Just give it time, you'll be settled in and will probably be able to get 'garden set' by the time of the next growing season!

Rena

You can grow things through the winter in a greenhouse?!?  Wow, that must be nice! No way would that work here! (unless it was a 'heated' greenhouse! )

[Trisha in WA]

Rena, not really sure how the winter growing might go. We do get a lot of sun, but temps will get well below zero F. My hope is to put in crops that handle freezing temps well like Kale and that kind of thing. I have a lot of homework to do on it to see what MIGHT work...then I just have to give it a try and see what happens. I figure I don't have much to loose and it will mean my greenhouse is all set for spring either way.
There is a nice little farmer's market in town on Thursday afternoons that I will go to often for our fresh produce. It will be fun to see what is available from week to week and get to meet lots of new people.
Trisha

[Rhodie]

We had a slow start here in Hampshire, UK, but with the recent heatwave the plants are picking up now but won't catch up to where they should be.
I am watering daily, and have planted out the remaining seedlings from the greenhouse.

[Rena]

Trisha, are you at the top of the state, middle or bottom? I was always under the impression that Washington didn't really freeze below zero for the most part. Obviously an erroneous thought! How long is your 'official' growing season then?

Rhodie, That is exactly how we are right now. There was soooo much Colllldddd this year that I've seen my plants having a hard time 'getting going'. They are growing however and it looks as though the potatoes are going to be doing very well! My grape vines are also doing surprisingly well this year! 

Rena

[Trisha in WA]

LOL Rena. Yes, most people think Washington is Seattle weather all over. On the east side of the Cascades the weather is VERY different. I live an hour from Canada (30 minutes as the crow flies). So it is considered North Central WA...though very north. I can't remember what the official growing season length is, but last expected frost date is June 1st, though it can freeze anytime...and has done just that. We were in the high 30's this morning. So one never know ;-)