Sunday, March 28, 2010

End of freezing weather?

The forecast for the coming week reaches high 60's to low 70's nearly every day. Can it be the end of freezing weather, or is that too much to hope for?

Last year, the local farmer's markets opened in May. This year they've posted their opening dates in mid-June. So the weather is definitely affecting everyone. 

Since it's still cool most nights but warm during the day, decided to try something out. Going to take out some clear (translucent) Sterilite boxes and start seeds in those. Since I have them on hand, there's no cost involved. Some other advantages are: 1) They're portable. If it gets below freezing, I can bring them inside. 2) They have lids. This helps retain moisture and I can put the lids in place at night or even cooler days. 3) Since I can place them outside, no need to harden off plants started in them. They'll just go from Sterilite to in the ground. 4) No weed problems and easier to control bugs until plants are established and go into the garden. 5) No need for artificial lighting or heat. 6) No need to build a greenhouse. 

By the UNM planting calendar, only 2-3 more weeks until many warm weather plants can be planted out. I don't know about getting things in the ground but it's a good time to get more things started inside for a better chance at some more successful crops. Want to get a few more things started soon. A few pumpkin plants started a few weeks back are looking good. Couple of green bean plants are surviving, though I'm not sure they'll last much longer indoors. Had to move them up to larger containers once already. I've started hardening off the plants again, which had a false start a couple weeks ago, before we got a bunch of cold and snow. 

The apple trees are still going. Up to 19 of them now. Daughter's pecan tree has about 8 full-size leaves on it and is taking to hardening off well. We transplanted it into a larger container on Friday.

Two things it seems I'll have plenty of from the garden this year is onions and garlic. Those are doing exceptionally well. Some peas and carrots are showing up. Lettuce is still growing (so it appears), even if not exactly where I wanted it.

I have a lot of things planned for tomorrow. Took a melatonin to get to sleep early and starting to feel it.

No comments:

Post a Comment