It Is Still Freezing, Cold, And Snowing

Yes, playing with Picmonkey. What else on the rainy/snowy/frozen days we are having? Housework, you say? What is that?

Yes, the weather again. We are still in the throes of winter. Throes I say! Everyone says they are tired of it, but we really don’t have any say in the weather, do we? It will affect how soon we will be able to plant out our seeds and new plants.

The ground will stay frozen for longer than we are used to in this part of the country.

That is my prediction.

Vegetable plants like peppers, and most especially tomatoes, need warm soil to thrive. This will be one year to not rush the season.

Weighty Snow

One year I had some of my globe arborvitae damaged, but this year it was the canopy and its frame that sheltered the hot tub that collapsed under the weight of wet snow.

That was a first.

I am finding it hard to think about growing things when the world outside looks like midwinter instead of like March.

Normally we would be headed into the mud season. Not likely when the temperatures will dip below zero. Again.

Frozen earth for another few weeks.

Hit The Ground Running

One effect of the prolonged wintry conditions is that a gardener can prepare to get started as soon as the weather breaks. If our tools are ready, plans made, we can get started without delay.

If we have raised beds, we are one step ahead in warming up the soil. I’m glad I made some raised beds a couple years ago. They dry out quicker in the spring, which is a boon in this clay-loam, high water table area.

Have you ever used floating row covers? I haven’t, but this would be a great year to begin. There are a few things to remember, as Colorado State cautions:

“Thwart weeds that may thrive in a covered environment by using a mulch such as black plastic before planting.”

Do We Have Garden Tips For March?

Maybe later in the month we can use the usual tips, but for now, backtrack into February chore suggestions.

We can safely start early indoor crops, plants started now should be ready to plant out after the last frost date without becoming too leggy.
A late winter means that dormant plants can still be pruned.
It will eventually warm up, and when it does remove the old stuff that is still left from last years garden.
Don’t pull back mulch from your plants, especially the roses, too early.
Check for winter damage- there is bound to be something this year.

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© 2015 written for Ilona’s Garden Journal by Ilona E. An excellent blog.