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[NRaleighLiberal]

This message was self-deleted by its author (NRaleighLiberal) on Mon Jun 20, 2016, 12:54 AM. When the original post in a discussion thread is self-deleted, the entire discussion thread is automatically locked so new replies cannot be posted.

[Arkansas Granny]

1. The gardeners I know are having a tough time of it. One day it will be warm and springlike and the

next day they get a frost warning and have to cover their tomatoes (which should be safe this time of the year). Over the weekend, snow fell in Arkansas in May for the first time since weather records have been kept.

[bvar22]

16. Thats the truth!

Here in Central Arkansas,
it has been capricious, confusing...weird.
Even our plants are messed up.

The Fruit Trees gave a 1/2 hearted effort at blooming about 6 weeks ago,
then freezing temps came, and they went back dormant.
A week later, after that.... blooming again..

We keep two colonies of European Honey Bees.
One of them Woke Up and started building their population late Feb.
The other one didn't start until late March....

Nothing seems to know what is going on,
though we all agree that we dodged a Frost/Freeze Bullet last weekend,
while just a few miles to our north they didn't.

We hope you fared well, neighbor.

[Arkansas Granny]

17. I'm not gardening this year myself. My youngest has purchased a few

acres in NW AR with a nice apple orchard. Luckily, it appears that he didn't get any frost damage. He's going to try his hand at gardening this summer and I'm going to show him the ropes at canning. He's trying to get certified organic.

[BlueToTheBone]

18. Let me know when his apples are ripe and I'll buy a bunch

My apple tree is still young and I'd love to have some apples for later. Is he growing Arkansas blacks? That's what seems to be around here, that and Stella (which I'm not really fond of)

[Arkansas Granny]

19. He told me the other day that he has apples about the size of grapes right now.

He really doesn't know what kind of apples he's raising. The original owner of the property was a horticulturist and planted many different varieties of apples. They are all sizes, shapes and colors. He's trying to get the orchard back in shape since it's been neglected for several years. He also has grapes, blueberries, raspberries and figs. He's discovering new plants in his yard every day.

[BlueToTheBone]

20. Sounds like paradise!

I still have a couple of years to go before I can have decent harvest.

[ginnyinWI]

2. Wisconsin having a cold spring

Just planted my first seeds--radishes--today, three weeks late.

And I know if the weather gets too hot too quickly, they'll all bolt.

[TxDemChem]

3. I planted some cilantro, garlic and basil

But even in Texas, it's not hot enough for the basil to grow.

[kentauros]

9. Come down to Houston, then :)

It hasn't been that bad (other than the massive hailstorm the weekend before last,) My GF and I planted rosemary, cilantro, lavender, and my 20-y.o. garlic-chive plants in one pot and they're all thriving. Looks like we're about to get some more rain, though...

[TxDemChem]

10. You two are doing great!

I've been putting my basil in direct sunlight for the last few days trying to encourage it. Hubby says it's supposed to be in the mid to high 80s later this week, so hopefully that will help. Although a spicy hit oregano plant a coworker gave me has really been thriving. I'm dying to do some lavender soon.

[kentauros]

11. I remember a tip my brother gave me about basil:

Pinch the buds off before they bloom and the plant will put out more leaves, becoming bushier. That's for potted basil. In the ground, I'm apt to just let it flower as much as it wants. I did that many years ago with an African blue basil plant, and the bumblebees loved it

We were afraid our lavender wasn't going to make it, though. Something was snipping off the leaves, either eating them, or the bugs on them. She thinks it was one of the green lizards (they don't have those in New Zealand) and maybe it was. Or maybe it was eating some bugs on the plants and getting the leaves at the same time. Because it's doing fine now, no snipped off leaves.

[TxDemChem]

15. As soon as it starts budding, I'll do that

I potted it about 5 weeks ago and still nothing

[bahrbearian]

4. Thats what happens here at spring, wet cold

Normally we don't plant here till some time in June if we are lucky,, This year it been 70s to 85. We got caught with our pants down. Wife out buying seeds right now. I just build a new green house 12' x 20', doesn't look like I need it, knock on wood.
Edited for Western Washington

[Curmudgeoness]

5. This is too early for us in W PA

to think of putting out tomatoes and peppers. Lettuce is doing well. We can easily have a frost through May. Memorial Day is always my target date. But we have had gorgeous weather here (70's), although it is really getting cold at night (40's).

[mopinko]

6. near complete pepper fail.

more aphids than weather, but it didn't help.
still managed over 1000 tomato seedlings, and another couple hundred other vegetables. most are just waking up from transplant shock, but we are looking at a good week, and all should be worth $3 by saturday.
hurrying all the way. so much to do.

[freemay20]

7. 20 miles south

and about the same thing. Kale, lettuce, greens and Brussel Sprouts going crazy. Had put some Okra in the garden and it is holding on, barely. Every morning it is wilted and curled from the chilly evening temps, but so far it keeps springing back. Come on with a little heat and sun please!!!!

[beac]

8. Even with the impending move, I couldn't resist a few annuals to stick in pots (which

will be given away moving day ) at the garden center on Sunday. They are now sitting on my back porch waiting for the two-day torrential downpour (and February-like temps) to pass.

[uppityperson]

12. NW WA and we have had sun and heat records for the last couple days. It makes a GREAT break

from the last 2 springs of never ending wet and cool temps. Of course it will change back to that next week but this week was wonderful. I've little tomatoes standing tall today, happy with the move and water and heat. My first radishes are showing, planted with carrot seeds to break the soil.

It has been amazing, having to water these last few days and trying to not jinx it by getting out summer wear and planting everything I can now while the sun shines.

[ellenrr]

13. My seedlings are so slow!

I have dozens of winter-sown babies, just waiting for them to get big enough to put into the garden. Usually by this time, I would be planting them out, but we are having a cold spring, and growth appears stalled.

Last night I had my heat on.
today is sup'd to reach 70, if we have a few days of consistently 70 or so - that will help. I am so ready to get them in the ground.

[NutmegYankee]

14. Cold and dry in Conn.

Cold as in lows in the 30s, and dry as in 17 days straight no rain.

[dgibby]

21. Windy, wet, chilly

here in the Alleghany Highlands of Va.(zone 6).

I'm trying my hand at straw bale gardening this year, and will be setting out the bales this week (had to prepare an area for them as I'm told they're too heavy to move after they're "seasoned&quot . I'll be using worm poop compost, blood and bone meal, Epsom's salts,etc. No chemicals, so companion planting is the order of the day. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Am planting the usual edibles, tomatoes, potatoes, 'cukes, peppers, salad greens, summer squash, zucchini, spaghetti squash, limas, onions, radishes. Also, melons, berries, grapes, and maybe kiwi.

Temps are supposed to be in the 70's consistently this week, so am hoping to direct sow seeds and plant seedlings, too. Transplanting roses and other flowers, as well. I did get my Lillies of the Valley transplanted this month and they're going gangbusters, as are the Irises. Peonies are still potted, so need to get them in the ground after they finish blooming. Same with blueberries, raspberries,and grapevines.

Fruits , edible flowers, herbs, and veggies are going into one side of the backyard, flowers on the other side. Edibles have to be fenced off due to the doggies. Kittehs are harder to control, however. LOL! Flowers I'm growing are to attract pollinators, hummingbirds, and butterflies.

Any and all tips, advice would be greatly appreciated!

[BlueToTheBone]

22. Too hot to work!