We’re at 7” of rain (8 1/2" at the point of postings this) in the last week and counting. As of last night we had upgraded from a moderate drought to abnormally dry. After several weeks of not so patiently waiting for overnight lows to get above 50 we took a chance and dove out to plant a few rootbound tomato and pepper plants on the one day that the soil wasn’t mud. This morning was dry so back out I went. Just as I was about to press the spade into the dirt on the south side of our house to plant a few dozen canna lily and gladiolus bulbs, a flash of lightning sent me running back inside. The rain followed a before I made it through the door, and it might not stop until tomorrow. In fact, outside of tomorrow, the forecast is calling for rain for another four days straight. For several years now, the tap has either been on like a firehose or off like a desert, if you can imagine a really humid desert.
There truly is something to timing in growing. Plant too soon and you risk a surprise frost or freeze. Plant too late and you’ll get less yield and shorter flowers. Because of a yearly plague-like invasion of squash beetles, cucumbers, zucchini and squash need to be in the ground and producing before mid-June. Once those little buggers show up they stay and feast until August. If the soil is too dry, you can’t break through it, too wet and seeds and seedling roots can rot. Too much rain after planting can wash everything out.
We have a fairly long growing season here, about May to October. While that might seem like a long time, having to wait several weeks to get planting can seriously reduce how much food we’ll be adding to the basement this summer and fall.
So here we are, the 2024 planting season kicked off with soil the consistency of concrete followed by a complete deluge. We’re making it work. The million-dollar question is, what’s next? According to the National Weather Service April-June, El Nino/La Nina transition forecast, we’ll have both above average temperatures and precipitation here. Above average temperatures are forecasted for the entire summer. Knowing that at any time the tap could shut off once again, it’s a Godsend to have a few rain barrels. Right now, we have a fully stationary 330 gallon barrel at one end of the house and a movable 40 gallon barrel at the other end. I’ll go into more detail in another blog on rain barrels.
A final thought on preparing for wacky weather issues is planting without averages in mind. Average temperatures have become useless the last several growing seasons. What used to be a hot day or a hot spell has been redefined. For heat sensitive plants, there is no more taking risks when it comes to where they can be planted. The hottest areas of the property area for heat-loving plants only.
That’s enough for now. Time to get the mud boots on and go check the rain gauge. Again.
Audrey L Elder
Fourteen Acre Wood
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