The weather has proved unusual, and here is the impact for my garden; plus some jots about other notable conditions and effects. It has been far wetter than usual, and then there is the inverted effect of our temperatures... June was as miserable as any July-August might have been. The heat and humidity was horrible at the beginning of summer, but what happened in July? Perfect June weather … [Read more...] about Mid-Ohio Gardening Update
How's the weather?
In Touch with the Weather
A definite benefit of gardening is being in touch with the weather. It's a necessity, and counters the tendency of a modern life to live in isolation from nature. Of course, mankind has always been in something of a struggle with natural forces; but that is just an explanation for why we complain so much about the weather. (A vestigial sense of our recognition of nature's importance in our … [Read more...] about In Touch with the Weather
Observations on an Ohio Spring
We haven't entered springtime officially, but tell the weather that! This has been a most mild winter, and Ohio experienced all time high temperature records for the month of February in 2017. It accelerated a climate phenomenon which, as a gardener, I look for each year. Most everyone know of the "Indian Summer" and "January Thaw" that is experienced - those period of unexpected warmth … [Read more...] about Observations on an Ohio Spring
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 … [Read more...] about It Is Still Freezing, Cold, And Snowing
Winding Up July
I didn't say "Hot enough for you?" once this month. Not that I am given to using that phrase, anyway, but the weather in Ohio could not have been more beautiful. We had "Polar vortex" in July. Normally I write off this month in terms of garden work. Only mad dogs and Midwesterners work in the heat and humidity, but the so-called "fall temperatures" (the weatherman's terms, not mine) allowed for … [Read more...] about Winding Up July
Garden Chores For March, No Digging Yet
Viburnum x bodnantense 'Dawn' buds on ice No real attempts at garden chores yet, but not everyone is like Ohio, still in the throes of winter. There were some blue skies, yesterday, however! I will likely remember this winter for a long time to come. On Ilona's Garden some new pages were posted (1) a chores reminder for this month, along with (2) a new page on daffodils. I love … [Read more...] about Garden Chores For March, No Digging Yet
My Mind’s In A Vortex or I can’t stop thinking about the weather
March Snow 2014, the ragged edges of winter It seems to be the only thing that I center on anymore, when my mind turns to gardening. The Weather. There were residual bits of snow scattered around the yard today, and more ice and snow predicted for the next couple days. Lots of people talk about how tired they are of winter and this weather... I guess I am either more philosophical about it … [Read more...] about My Mind’s In A Vortex or I can’t stop thinking about the weather
Weathering The Storm
From Purdue's Corn SiteFriday was, brutally hot, and even in an air conditioned car, on my way to a Dr.'s appointment, my shirt became soaked from contact with the seat back. I had just finished watering my containers and a few plantings just an hour before, and still felt the clamp of the heated day.Observing the corn and bean fields on my way into town, as I often do, could not help but feel the … [Read more...] about Weathering The Storm
Goodbye 2011, I Hardly Knew Ye
Winter Day in February 2011The year not only seems to have gone fast, but it seems a stranger in the night... passing with little recognizable in it. The weather was different, my goals were different, the holidays were different, and none seem connected to either past or present. I am sure none of that is true if I think hard enough to rein in the disconnected strings, but that is the general … [Read more...] about Goodbye 2011, I Hardly Knew Ye
Rainiest Season Ever
I talked with my husband in Ohio and it is still raining, and quite cool. He heard the farmers have only a small fraction of their fields planted with the corn crop. People aren't able to keep up with the mowing either, although that is a lesser problem. There are a number of problems for plants in wet, saturated ground. One problem is that roots need air to breathe and will actually drown when … [Read more...] about Rainiest Season Ever
Rural Report Spring 2011
Here in Ohio, we couldn't wait for spring to get here. We complained about the long winter and the uncommonly frequent snowfall. We fairly longed for spring, more than the usual, and sent each other encouraging reminders and photos to keep each other's spirits up.And then Spring arrived... but not as we imagined or expected. It came thundering, and whirling, and blowing. And with rain.... lots and … [Read more...] about Rural Report Spring 2011
Expectedly, We Re-entered Winter
I hope no one else in Ohio is disappointed, since there is no real end of winter weather here before April, and last blasts of it can happen into May. I look outside onto snow frosted fields, the upturned furrows breaking the surface are like a choppy sea. More winter storms are coming this week, but I am jaded to either their charm or their fury. Que sera, sera.It is too early to start seeds, … [Read more...] about Expectedly, We Re-entered Winter