Still frustrated

Still frustrated with the way things are developing in the garden because of weather swings. Temps have been making 40 degree swings, from 30's at night to 70's and even near 80 some days. Add in the winds which have been over 30 mph and gusting over 60 mph. It would seem soil temp would remain above 50 but the winds are preventing that. Not to mention ripping moisture from topsoil.

I need to get out the old drip lines and see if any are still good. Most had developed leaks last year. And need to alter some of the cheap green hoses to drip lines.

Of course, it's not just my garden or just this area. All around me everywhere are small patches of green separated by huge patches of brown. No missing the fact that prices on tomatoes are back up this year. Won't be much longer before that becomes reflected in prices of canned tomato goods. And once they go up it takes forever for them to come back down. Most produce prices have risen substantially. No surprise between weather and gas prices.

I remain somewhat suspicious of the seed pods dropped by these Chinese Elm trees. I think they may emit some mild toxins which suppress the growth of other plants. The late freeze killed off a lot of the seed pods before they developed fully but still a lot dropped everywhere. Once they drop, it seems the other plants turn pale and growth slows. I need to go rake the large drifts of them. Random ones got caught in the mulch. Hoping the freeze made them sterile or I'll be pulling small trees out of the soil all summer.

Here's a good thing- I hope. The neighbors across the street moved out just after the 1st of the month. They were the loudest people on the neighborhood. I also suspected they were dealing drugs. Not out of the house or I would have compiled evidence and turned it in to police. Just seemed too strange that multiple adults in the house and none had a regular job. They arrived and left dozens of times each day. There's an 8-9 ft tall fence in front of the house and they had a mean, loud dog. One neighbor said they stole firewood from him. Whatever. They're someone else's problem now. Hoping whoever moves in there next is better. Not really counting on anyone moving in there soon. Not an attractive house and not one easily fixed up.

Guess I should do something constructive here.