New England, May 2020

OldCrow wrote:Hello everyone and thank you for the kind welcome. 

Since this is my first season of real gardening, I’m trying not to go overboard. I’m pretty much sticking with plants a uTube guy MIgardener suggested as “Beginner” plants. That is, not difficult to succeed with being the key. And so far I’ve had pretty good success. 

Right now I have growing Kale Nero di Toscana, Lettuce Freckles, Tomato Geranium Kiss, Spinach Giant Noble, Radish French Breakfast, Basil Lemon, Mint Spearmint and Marrigold. 

Hope to transfer the Kale and some lettuce this week if I can get the fence built. Bambi and her friends drop by too often as well as the smaller mammals.

Also picked up locally at Aubuchon HW Broccoli De Rapa, and Cabbage Copenhagen Market.  And on a spur of the moment I picked up some Strawberry, 15 little plants bundled to gather, basically roots that looked almost dead but they have perked. All with new green. 

Once the weather warms enough, after May 22nd, Carrot Parisian and Peas Lincoln sow direct to my 4x8 raised bed.  Also planning to transplant 1 Tomato, but I don’t know if Tomato, Cucumber, Peppers can handle open air here in Zone 5 Maine? Any ideas welcome. 

My biggest learning curve was getting a soil mix. I started with Compost(cow,fist,etc) and soil with a bit of vermiculite. No good for pots. I tried to grow Basil in a coffee can and no luck, I think that mix was too dense. 

My mixes evolved and I was near Mel’s Mix but using perlite instead of vermiculite. Can really tell the difference in plant growth .

I picked up Mel’s SFG last week and oh how I wish I’d found a few months ago

 
 We are putting those wishes on the lucky draw due to be drawn  some time in the future the 45 gallon oil barrel is about half full 

It's one of my long term aims to gently get newcomers to get hold of a copy  as soon as they can & if possible before they start setting  out on the amazing journey of (  ANSFG )   All New Square Foot Gardening  2nd edition   Mel Bartholomew style ….. They'd save themselves a lot of heart ache and money by getting one and actually reading it .

plantoid wrote:It's one of my long term aims to gently get newcomers to get hold of a copy  as soon as they can & if possible before they start setting  out on the amazing journey of (  ANSFG )   All New Square Foot Gardening  2nd edition   Mel Bartholomew style ….. They'd save themselves a lot of heart ache and money by getting one and actually reading it .

Wholeheartedly agree, plantoid.  So much wisdom in those books!

I don't know how it's been where you all are at, but I've noticed a significant decrease in weather prediction accuracy since this whole COVID-19 thing started.

So here's my dilemma: LF for me is usually June 8th or so. Right now, the prediction is for highs in the 70s and lows in the 40s thru the end of the month.

Do I risk it and put the nightshades out?

They're not going to be liking those lows, for sure, but if I put cloches on them...maybe they'll be ok? Thoughts?

mollyhespra wrote:I don't know how it's been where you all are at, but I've noticed a significant decrease in weather prediction accuracy since this whole COVID-19 thing started.

So here's my dilemma:  LF for me is usually June 8th or so. Right now, the prediction is for highs in the 70s and lows in the 40s thru the end of the month.

Do I risk it and put the nightshades out?

They're not going to be liking those lows, for sure, but if I put cloches on them...maybe they'll be ok?  Thoughts?

I hear ya, Molly...I think do it.  Plant those babies.  Our pattern was cold for the week after our last FFD, so I held off, but I have been successful (and NOT) counting on the forecast.  

You can always throw a blankie on ‘em!  I’m planting maters out this weekend!

mollyhespra wrote:
So here's my dilemma:  LF for me is usually June 8th or so. Right now, the prediction is for highs in the 70s and lows in the 40s thru the end of the month.

Do I risk it and put the nightshades out?

They're not going to be liking those lows, for sure, but if I put cloches on them...maybe they'll be ok?  Thoughts?

I feel your pain  We had 85F last week in a week of way above average. Then the night of the 23/24 May we had a light Frost and this morning 38F. 
Yesterday we sowed carrots, radish, lettuce, peas, cucumber, spinach, and dill in our elevated(36inch) raised bed. We also transplanted kale, lettuce and cabbage. I think I may have goofed not getting the cold hardy stuff out sooner.We've been fighting a raccoon, chip monks, squirrels  and last be not least deer  Hence the elevated bed. But our Tomatoes are staying in containers this year, 2gal homer buckets, gives me some much needed exercise moving them

As gardeners in New England, we should all know by now because of the ocean currents, the arctic air blasts, the inability of local weather forecasters to accurately predict rain and you have decided to garden, you should have more than one plan and each plan should have a great deal of flexibility. I myself am already up to Plan D, that is the plan where Dan lowers expectations and begins to realize he won't be getting to eat as much fresh produce as he had initially envisioned. All the benefits of the extra cardio exercise, plus possible weight loss. Taking into account that I heard this could be a year with more hurricanes than normal and realizing heavier objects don't get blown all over the yard as easily, I double checked to make sure I am still on the ice cream truck's route. Another reason front yard gardening is best. Where else can you have this much fun for the price of a few seeds?

Lol, you're funny, Dan! Can you send that ice cream truck my way? We don't have one in town.

In other news, my nightshades are recovering from my over-watering, and will hopefully get planted outside soon.

It's been terribly dry here for quite the spell. Thunderstorms expected later in the week. Hopefully no hurricanes!

Really!  Where else????

Agree, this weather has been a roller coaster!  Hang on!