Even though we did need rain as we’re pretty much in drought, I still wish it hadn’t rained so much. I wanted to get the asparagus planted to ensure the crowns in the basement were fine. But sometimes (most times!) we don’t get what we want. We’ve gotten about an inch and a half so far and it’s supposed to rain until dark. So, guess where I’m working today. Yep. Inside. After packing seed orders, I’m starting to plant our melons today. They grow slower than squash and pumpkin plants, so they go first. Will’s finishing up repairing the spare haybine, in the rain. He says it’s a “Washington rain,” what he was raised with, and it doesn’t bother him.
The plants in the greenhouse, peppers, tomatoes, and petunias, look wonderful. Drew’s been watering them faithfully, with the watering can. Nobody told him we use the hose and sprayer wand. Oops! I corrected that last night. Sorry Drew. We are still growing a lot as we want to make sure that when we turn the seed business over to Lynn and Jesse in August, that they have plenty of seeds to continue the business on, into next year, fully stocked.
Have you noticed the prices climbing in the stores? I sure have and it’s pretty scary. I feel so bad for folks on a modest or limited income who are trying to buy groceries. I know there’s a few things in the produce aisle I’m passing up that I often buy, such as fresh broccoli and cauliflower. No way I’m paying that much! I’m going to grow more this summer and freeze it up, instead. For now, I’m doing like folks did in the “olden” days, just not buying off-season produce. It didn’t used to be on the winter shelves, as it is now. I’m sure glad we can grow so much of our own food! Thank God for those seeds that surround us.
I’m also very grateful to have started an orchard when we did. The trees came through the winter with no damage from voles or other things so we should have a bounty of fresh fruit to eat and put up. I do want to get a big container started for strawberries as the grass has invaded our old strawberry bed. So much to do this time of the year. And I’m happy to be able to get at it! — Jackie
I’m not getting any fruit this year. I’m in Idaho and we had the weirdest winter ever! It was more like spring all winter until a few weeks ago AFTER the trees bloomed and the cold nights killed all the flowers. That means fruit will be even more expensive in this area.
A number of years ago I had raised strawberry beds and they filled with grass. I got tired of the work and pulled the strawberries and put in some blueberry bushes I had. I left the volunteers that had escaped from the beds grow in the woodchips around the beds – I thought I might get a few berries. I get more berries from those volunteers than I ever did from the beds!
I replenish the woodchips every year or so, typically pull the weeds and grass around the same time. My rows between raised beds have woodchips and I let the strawberries spread wherever. I periodically clean a section out completely and replant the strawberry plants I recover.
Biggest issue I have is slugs, and what I’m learning is if I apply the sluggo early in the season it keeps them under control and much less loss. Rain is obviously a bit factor with slugs.
Reporting from N. Central TX (NW of Ft. Worth)……. We are way above normal for our April rainfall, still in a slight deficit possibly for the year. The area has been being slammed by tornadoes (one just a few miles away). We hit about 92 on Monday and by Thursday our high should be about 57…….. Weather has been wild for many of us.
As to the prices in the stores. Yup. Was at Walmart on Monday……. $1.28 for an ear of corn (yes ONE ear). There is another store with corn on sale this week at 3/.99 (we might be eating some corn!).
Have made it through the storms! The system split! The 1.75 are inch hail went to the south of us! Thank goodness for that.
My 40 tomatoes finally came up. Tomorrow getting ready to plant bell peppers! Green peppers are 1.27 at Walmart and the red and yellow bell peppers are 1.62. I don’t know what you remember them for but I can remember them for.55¢ and thought that was high at the time! ( Smile 😊)
Am so glad Drew is helping out! A person can always use a little bit of help to make the load easier!
Take care and hope Will got that piece of machinery fixed!
You are not kidding about food prices going up. Went into the local market to pick up a few salad things and green house tomatoes ( the ones that taste like window putty) were $6.00 a pound.
I think we will just wait for ours to come in!
Shed day for me. 1/2 inch rain Sunday and Monday. Potatoes, onions, peas planted. 10 more asparagus crowns planted. All around severe wind damage and we were fortunately spared. Cooler days predicted ahead. We don’t control the rain faucet and growing food is challenging. Large stretches of the USA has drought conditions. We owe our existence to a thin layer of topsoil and the fact that it rains on occasion (at times more or less than desired).
Rain. Something some of us need! Less than 1/4 full rain barrel that usually is over flowing by April! Other s need a bit less. Drew is certainly a huge blessing to you all. Radishes finally sprouted yesterday. Supposed to start staying in the mid 40’ at night. Days are high 40’s-60’s. Sure a huge variation.winds are sucking the little moisture out. May have to hand water- or get the drip hoses out 2 months early. Still more fortunate than those who are unable to raise their own food. Yes going back to the time s of ‘buying only in season’ produce. Lord willing we all will get production from our garden s. Washington rain Will is a true western rainforest raised!
Here in N.Ga.,we’re in a drought, but S.Ga. the wildfires are destroying countless homes and businesses. We had rain Saturday and again today but we need more especially in the southern part of our state. Please pray for our neighbors.
+ We’re so very lucky in that we get very few tornadoes way up here. And the ones we do get are small, compared to the ones further south. Boy, you’re so right. There’s always something to do!! Just take a look at my kitchen right now. I need a hazmat suit!!
Grass – nemesis of strawberries and asparagus. We’re getting rain again today plus high winds. Upside is not a deluge and so far, knock on wood, no hail/tornadoes in my neck of the state with this storm.
There is always something to do – I can’t get better half to realize one will never be done. Best you can do is keep it reasonably under control.
Watering with a can shows Drew has a good work ethic. And will appreciate the hose/wand.
I too feel for those whose incomes were already stretched before the acts of others made it even worse. It is not because they are lazy. I’ll stop at some folks should have no leg to stand on when claiming to be christians.