Crazy weather pattern this year

[Siwsan]

We will have a stretch of nice temps in the upper 70's, low 80's followed by two days of HIGH 80's, and then back to the 70's and even high 60's.

Now, if that's what to expect all Summer, no complaints from me. Better than long stretches of high heat followed by 2 days of temperate weather.

[2naSalit]

1. We're about to drown here.

It's been raining since Friday. It started out with irregular rain squalls to mostly just raining steady and is expected through the day yet. Glad it will stop by tomorrow, I was out mushroom picking yesterday near the river and it's up so high it surprised me. There's a huge gravel bar I like to hike out to and it's completely under water, by about ten feet.

It's still snowing above 8000ft so the runoff will last a while, which is ideal and might push fire season off a month or so. If it rains enough through the summer, we might get lucky and have fewer fires this year.

[MiHale]

2. Isn't it though...

Almost as crazy as last year’s entry into summer. Makes gardening an adventure. Things got done despite the wildness. I think the worst of it was the 5 to 10 mile breezes forecast then living with 35 mph. winds all day.
The asparagus is producing well, root crops radish and carrots been in the ground and going great. Brussel sprouts getting bigger every day, onions in and starting to get fatter. Spring garlic planted along with the tomatoes and peppers.
There’s a little more to go, we should be done by Tuesday. The holiday crowds should be gone by then and the weather moderating signaling the time to retreat to the lake for some much needed time in the kayak.
How’s your garden? Bet it’s an adventure with the kitties around.

[Siwsan]

3. I'm planting it today

The ground was too mucky to rototill until last week and then it rained again!

I put down the landscaping fabric yesterday so today the plants go in. I cut back by about 50%, this year. Last year's miserable harvest still stings. It will still be enough for me, with some to share.

The cats don't much bother the veg garden. I'm more worried about the raccoons that have arrived. Guess only time will tell. If they get to be a problem I'll start spraying the plants with a hot pepper solution.

[MiHale]

4. Those raccoons...ugh.

Yeah you’ve had more rain than us.

Raccoons…
They also don’t like the smell of garlic, an onion and pepper mixture, peppermint oil plus Epsom Salt..they can’t stand that smell either and it’s good for the soil
My go to is animal smell, I spread my dogs hair around the perimeter of the garden along with his “leavings”. It sounds gross but predator smells work awesomely, I cover with a light layer of dirt so it’s not unsightly. It doesn’t affect the veggies at all as it’s a perimeter defense.

Do you know about this guy…MiGardener? Check out the YouTube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVGVbOl6F5rGF4wSYS6Y5yQ

Good luck and great growing!

[Siwsan]

5. I let the garlic grow THICK around the perimeter of the garden fence

I've also spread some litter box leavings when I was having trouble with groundhogs. I think the feral cats have taken care of that problem for me.

I might try mixing up some garlic infused water to spray on plants.

Of course, these raccoons have probably been around for years but just never bothered the garden.

I'll check out that channe!

[crud]

6. I like reading about the weather that people are experiencing...

but, please, please tell us where you live. Not your address, not even your town, but the state in which you plant your garden would be helpful. Unless you are in California which has about 3 dozen different climates...okay sorry everyone for my rant. I don't want to hijack your thread. no responses necessary.

[Siwsan]

7. Sorry - I'm in Flint, MI

Mid-Michigan area.