Category Archives: Weather related

Sliding through the June portal

Having rain on and around summer solstice is often a guarantee of a hot summer here, and this time summer is not waiting until July 6th to show up!  Heat wave came on immediately after the rains let up; the yard actually feels a bit jungle-ish, with everything so lush. Humid! I would say that the little basil are the only complainers.  They can’t figure out what is coming or going, as their elusive heat kept shifting around.  Transplant time for them coming up!

Magical mesclun mix!

Magical mesclun mix!

Giant radishes!

Seriously large radishes not to be mistaken for beets!

While being gone several days to Mt. Shasta over the Solstice, where it was really dry and dusty, the squash and tomatoes decided the warm moisture was their cue to grow by leaps/bounds.  Melons are still a bit slower, but firmly established now.  Lettuce, spinach, and most of the mesclun mix is bolting, so there is an element of normalcy. We have a lot of work to do this weekend and a bounty to give away!  I spy some hefty looking beet-roots on the end of a row, also, so some first pickings and sorting needed there, too.  Bush bean blossoms announce their next phase, while Bambie has expanded her buffet to include tomato plants early in the season. We won’t even discuss what the weeds think about it all!

And we all shine on!

The jungle is forming!

The jungle is forming!

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For real, not for long

Aaahh…there were almost audible sighs from the plants, as moisture finally returned us to a degree of normalcy.  The cracks in the ground have nearly disappeared.

Just to balance out all that summery weather that led us to rename the month as Mayust for awhile, a huge cold front has enveloped us with substantial rain, and cooler than average temperatures, so it is reminiscent of March for a few days.  We are not complaining, just smiling.  It was bound to happen if the tomatoes were set in the ground, right?  The squash and melon seedlings in the house yard are protected with plastic jugs, and tomatoes continue to show off their red jackets.  Some of us feel like it’s time for a switch back to some sun and warmth.

Growing jugs in the yard?

Growing jugs in the yard?  No, these are mini-greenhouses.

What is the jug hiding?

A peek inside…to find…

Very young melons, waiting for some warmth!

Very young melons, waiting for some warmth!

Waiting for rain…is this for real?

We love sun, but I think I can accurately say I can’t remember any spring in which we have had this extent of warm, dry weather, in the 30ish years I have lived here.  A complete switch from the last 2 to 3 years of cold, damp springs!  Trouble is, all that grey we had in late January into February wasn’t rain, but fog, so our water levels for the year are only 30% of normal at present!

It is almost unbelievable that we have tomatoes transplanted, and all the squash, melons, and cucumbers seeded before Mother’s Day, no less Memorial Weekend!  The much anticipated rain predicted for May 12th that was to bless our new plantings of the prior day, was postponed till the 13th, and then disappeared as we watched strong breezes break apart the front and send most clouds northeastward, and offer only brief spits of moisture, if any.

Seriously, it has been mostly shorts and sandals weather for the last 3 weeks, including some summer-ish nights. The ground in many places already showed the typical cracks more typical of late June or July.  Soaker hoses are being laid out for sudden action when plants are a bit bigger.

Though we cool off to more average temperatures in the 60’s, dropping into the high 30’s at night again, it is “life in the breeze lane”, requiring almost daily watering.

The house yard is looking good, coming into the first flush of blooms for the Tradescantia, and all lavender is prolifically laden with blossoms and bees!  It is always a joy to listen to them moving around in the plants while weeding or watering.  This year they will hopefully be able to enjoy watermelon blossoms one day on the seedlings planted along side some of the lavender.

Life is good!

A new batch of “red hats” that convert to evening jackets
for the young tomatoes.           Welcome to the CG for 2013!

May-12-13

Blueberry bushes are noticeably larger this year.
Good crop of berries set….!

New Timelines

Sometimes there are better reasons than others not to engage in spring gardening too soon, be they weather, or Divine intervention….
Primary excuses here:

Equinox! Spring?!

Tripping out of a timeline....to concrete...
The director's way of getting out of work?

Actually, I did the hand trick earlier in the day we were intending to gather together for the annual planning tea party!  Since then we’ve experienced 3 weeks of the wettest March on record, including all 4 seasons in single days.

We have heard the hopeful news that in early April, we will see some warm sunny days, and then it will be a rush to weed and turn soil, and clean up.

My hand (with a hairline fracture in the base of the left index finger), has been healing rapidly over 3 weeks, but has more time ahead to heal the ligaments and then re-strengthen.  It will be quite awhile before I can torque it with a shovel, or do 2-handed weeding.   Aargh.  Everything takes longer.  I will have to get used to the idea of being a director in a real manner…;-)

We are in amazing times of planetary evolution, much of which is not even fathomed by the limited perspective of the scientific community.  Since I work in the field, I can speak this.  Quantum physicists know it, though they are often ridiculed, yet Einstein had glimpses.  Astronomers know it, even if the don’t broadcast it.

There is no more “normal”, if one is aware and awake, be it the weather, occupation, health….life.  Time IS accelerated.  Gene Rodenberry was bringing forth real information through his StarTrek missions, as was Carl Sagan in writing “Contact.”  We are not alone in the Cosmos!

But enough of this…it simply has me reflecting from late last year, that in my own life I do not have the desire to keep up with “media” aspect of blogs (which are largely outlets for ego-broadcasts of their lives).  Another reason this site intentionally has been kept focused as an information outlet above all else.  It feels like there will be fewer entries than in previous seasons, partly because the CG is well-established, partly because my life-service is needed in other areas.  Words mean less to me, and are increasingly more difficult to process, as I move less in the mental world and more into the invisible world of feeling and Nature.  Which means…there may be postings of pictures….and wordless.

This community garden has always been a focus of infused cosmic energy, assisted by the natural Beings who support the plant and soil life, and will continue to be such a portal.  Live in the Light!  And Light is Love!

October fly by

If September was a “slide through” then October was a “fly by,” bringing another amazingly productive season to a close of sorts, in spite of all the freakish weather in early summer; neither was it particularly warm.  Spaghetti squash always brings up the rear with some added poundage, and the chanterai mini-canteloupes did exceptionally well at the end of the season.

The lettuce weathered our first frost well, which then reminded me that a hoop frame was needed pronto.  So, this is our new addition to the CG, to help prolong the lettuce and greens production for awhile. It seems that here, it isn’t always the cold that rots the lettuce, but excess moisture on the leaves.  We’ll see how it goes.  I think there are some slugs hanging out in there.

new PVC hoop frame cover for the greens

We’ve got the final bounty tally for the season, and won’t be keeping track again until spring, even if we pull in hordes of lettuce.

October harvest tally:

  • Charentai melon: 13.5 pounds
  • Cucumbers: 3
  • Acorn squash: 5
  • Spaghetti squash: 19.5

Total:  53 pounds
Season Grand Total: 526 pounds!
About 100 pounds less than last year as it turns out. Oh well. Best tomato harvest yet!

Gratitude and blessings to all Beings who brought for this bounty! Time for devas and elementals to get some rest!

Dazed and confused

Hot, hot, hot…many plants are feeling stressed….what is with the high-heat wave this far into September?!  Record-setting 100° on Sept. 10.  Usually there is a day of moisture in there somewhere.  Oh wait, that was what was happening in July, on the driest day of the year.  But, seriously, we could do with a good cleansing rain…for just overnight or a day.  Smoky skies have been around for almost a week, with un-contained wildfires in the Mt. Washington wilderness due east of us.

CG running rampant!

Mildew arrived in late August to pester the squash; not abated by the heat.  A heavy load of acorn and delicata squash seems to be lurking under all the leaves.  Tomatoes are very happy with the warm nights of the last week, ripening beautifully; fortuitous it is!

New veggies for fall crop

Breathing space exists in one area of the CG again, for some cauliflower, chard, arugula, and lettuce.  A riot remains in the other half, with squash, cucumbers, and melons sprawling amongst the corn and tomatoes.

Clamoring for space

Bambie has earned her own private gate now….to look through.  The portal is now closed every night.  She isn’t bothering the veggies much, save one night of pruning beans when the netting wasn’t anchored, but she occasionally wants to sample inside the house yard.

Gate at the Portal

We also say goodbye to Jessie today, as she moves to her own new home, where she’ll have her own garden.  Congrats, Jessie!  And, thanks for being an enthusiastic part of this project.  Keep checking in on the bounty this fall!

August harvest tally:

  • Basil: 9 (pounds)
  • Bush beans: 23.5
  • Beet roots: 29
  • Corn: 11 (9 ears)
  • Cucumbers: 12.5
  • Endive: 2
  • Lettuce: 7.25
  • Scallions: 2
  • Summer squash: 9.5
  • Swiss chard: 4.5
  • Tomatoes: 5

Total: 116.25 pounds
We give thanks to all Beings who assisted in manifesting this bounty!

On the driest day of the year…..it rained…

Yes….the garden is growing!  In spite of very inconsistent spurts of summer! The almanacs show that on July 12, typically the driest day of the year (.001 inch of rain in the records) we received about 0.7 inches overnight, setting a record.  Didn’t need to water for a few days!
Tomato jackets came off July 3rd….and they are now doing wonderfully; many blossoms and a few small fruit on one plant.  A plethora of beets, spinach, and lettuce have been pulled, and the inconsistent warmth we have seen has allowed a prolonged lettuce season.

July 4: starting to kick in for biomass

A bright sunrise....tomatoes love it!"

Oodles of Chiogga beets (red and white interior; almost like radishes)

A most inconsistent corn stand emerged, and there was no way that the corn was knee-high on the 4th of July; but now there are some plants that are waist-high, while others are shin-high.  Crows picked off some squash seedlings, so had to replant at a late date, and slugs knocked off a couple of melons.  So, we feel behind in some aspects, and yet catching up very quickly during this last week.  An overnight rain just left us 0.5 inches of rain, when we normally see none at this time of year; everything is different!

July 16: Lush greens

July 16: Growth in full swing!

June harvest tally:

  • Beet shoots: 3.25 pounds
  • Kale: 9
  • Lettuce: 14.25
  • Swiss chard: 4.75

Total: 30 pounds
And on we go….with gratitude to all Beings involved!

Red coats are back!

Finally! The CG is officially planted!  It seemed to be taking eons to find the right combination of time and weather (mainly) to put the bed into action.  A week’s absence in May provided a view that the greens had indeed grown to thinning size.  Our beloved deer took advantage of my roses and apple buds in the house yard while I was gone.  Good thing two of us had a hunch he might show up, and we netted the greens before I left.
Memorial Day late afternoon and a subsequent evening accommodated all the corn, squash, melons, and beans sowing we desired, along with tomato transplants.  Red jackets a must for the tomatoes, given our constantly-shifting weather.
Six pounds of overwintering kale and chard was harvested and cut so new could be seeded.  Most went to the food bank.
A recent hot-spot weekend had us configuring grabbing and connecting the water hoses.  Soaker hose layout coming up soon.

Red coats are back!

Anybody feeling time compression?  I can’t keep up!

Still slumbering in the CG

This is why it is so quiet around here….

If you want to turn soil right now, be my guest...

Mild January and a relatively mild February, except to have a pile of snow fall on February 24th.  Not quite gardening weather yet, you think?  Just as well, since my brains have been busy elsewhere, trying to get indoor projects taken care of before “gardening season” takes hold.

The CG Ladies had a lovely afternoon tea however, providing us a chance to review our garden favorites and less-favorites, the yay’s and nay’s.  Sounds like we will skip lemon cucumbers and patty-pan summer squash for another type of cucumber (English type, maybe), and an extra delicata or acorn squash.

Just to remind us it is still winter...

The wood iris thought it was time to show off in mid-February

So we dream on a little longer.....

Last Tomato Standing

….for the moment.
It has been a time for progressive clean-up, given the cool, but vibrant fall weather of the last two weeks.  After hard rains on Oct. 10, it was time to remove the thrashed summer squash, cucumbers and melons, and harvest the nearly 150 pounds of winter squash.

Our beautiful mild fall weather since has helped ripen more tomatoes, wrapped in their red jackets, while a few more cucumbers have eeked out their full figures.  Basil is now typically spotted and un-pretty, especially after a mild frost.  The mixed lettuces are very happy, being the perfect size for gourmet greens as they are thinned.  Kale seedlings are poking along.  Hoses are finally put away for the season….alas.

A favorite for kitties: over and under the deer netting!

With impending heavy rains, all the tomatoes were removed, save the “yellow pear”, which still has a few fruit, and more blossoms.  It’s always good to have a sentinel for awhile.

Prepared for fall rains beginning in earnest