To Garden or Not to Garden
April 12, 2013 at 6:57 pm 4 comments
To Garden or Not to Garden is never a question.
Okay, I know this, and yet I have hope that something can remain consistent. I would so love to be able to count on the weather to do something “normal.” No such luck here in southern Colorado.
I planted about four weeks ago. Had little sprouts coming up of cold-hardy veggies. Last week a major cold-snap came through like we haven’t had, period, in years. The wind was vicious and made the temps, which would have been bearable on their own, plummet to an unacceptable level for greens, root veggies and more.
Could I have done something different? Sure. I thought about covering everything, but then took the chance that we would actually see the 2-4 inches of snow predicted and that would provide the perfect insulation for the temps and wind. Should I have known better? Sure. But I chose to try something that didn’t work and in so doing, learned a valuable lesson. Better to be safe than sorry. Life does go on.
The human spirit maintains that, in the face of adversity, we must move forward. We must move through the current trial set for us. It is only through trying that we learn and, as I am fond of saying, if we are not learning, we are dead. Not an option!
So, I will muster on, planting a new crop of cold-season veggies after this week and the next storm that is scheduled to come through in hopes that we are far enough into the spring that the timing will work and I will still get a spring crop of radishes, peas, greens and more.
Wish me luck, or better yet, get out and plant with me in spirit!
Entry filed under: Eating. Tags: cold, Colorado, garden, spring, vegetables.
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1.
Nanna | April 13, 2013 at 8:18 am
I had the same issues Michelle and I am not sure yet what it did to all of my seedlings as I had cold frames but the wind was so harsh that I may have lost the preciously growing first crop of the season. Regardless, I too will replant and will do it today but again, another storm is coming. To be at peace with Colorado, however, know that Davos, Switzerland still has a heavy snow blanket on all gardens. Thus, they choose to ski instead.
2.
The Butternut Hunter | April 13, 2013 at 8:32 am
Heavy blanket of snow sounds heavenly, though it means a shorter season. It also means that the ground is moist and waiting to be planted. Doing a talk on gardening through drought today at Abatina, since that seems to be our “norm” now.
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Jane | April 13, 2013 at 2:10 pm
So sorry, Michelle. Fortunately I wasn’t as far along as you! We’ve bagged up wood chips that were questionable from last year’s ips beetle attack that killed two Douglas spruces (on the chance that they might be harboring beetles that could kill neighbors’ trees), and will level off ground to get our raised bed frames placed this weekend.
My (indoor) seedlings are all sprouted, Though I’m concerned about drought and impending water restrictions, I’m still getting excited!
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The Butternut Hunter | April 13, 2013 at 2:23 pm
In Manitou, I would not be planting yet on a “normal” year (whatever that means anymore), without protection, so I’m glad you escaped the carnage. Looking forward to seeing how things go this year. With the drought, it’s going to be challenging. Applying water appropriately and not growing water-intensive things is going to be critical. For instance, last year, my beans barely produced. They like water a lot and I just couldn’t give them enough. At least I have all of my warm-weather seedlings to pot up this afternoon. Have fun!