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Blogs by Adrean Aynsley
Springtime in the high plains desert 6/6/2009 8:47:19 AM
Like the flip of a switch, the weather has changed from scorching to nippy.
Just as abruptly as the 90ºF weather arrived, it has departed. Today's high is the same as last nights low and tonight's low is expected to produce frost.
Bart is really not bothered by such things. He will have frost blankets on his tomato plants before lunch. His garden is already half grown and it is only three weeks after the average last frost date.
It is a shame Bart wasn't here to take care of my sprouting trays. After 8 weeks, the tomatoes were only 3"-4" tall and had no true leaves yet. Turns out it is because my house has been refitted with low-E glass that doesn't let in enough sunlight to photosynthesize. What I transplanted to the garden is minute in stature, especially after burying the stems up to the solitary pair of leaves.
Season extending apparatuses are next on the list of improvements. A greenhouse on my east-facing patio would be quite helpful in starting seedlings. Row covers to temper both frost and intense sun would make the plants in the garden very happy. A couple of cold frames will extend the "cool season" from one week to maybe as much as a couple months by protecting plants from the heavy frost we expect before the autumn weather. It will be a very busy summer.
On a lighter note...
I received word from LC [found my hard drive] and she will be relocating to Atherton shortly. I look forward to sharing her letters with you.
