The central Wisconsin traditional garden planting date has passed. We are not out of the woods yet, or shall I say we are not past the probable frost event yet. With the unpredictability of localized frost conditions, experienced home owners know the proper time to plant (in there own private neck of the woods). If you are one of them and haven't secured your vegetable plants yet, you are in luck. We have a good selection of veggie plants from tomatoes and peppers to pumpkins and zucchini as well as marigolds, impatiens, petunias, and packaged seeds. Looking for morning glories? Look no further. Our selection has dwindled, but our garden sense hasn't.
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We are at the halfway point in May and the frost covering our car this morning reminded me of the reason I don't get too excited about having vegetable plants ready to go in the ground any sooner than this. The only thing one can say about the predictability of the weather is it's unpredictability. It may be a good time to start planting seeds in the garden if you haven't done so already, but even Memorial Day weekend planting of peppers and tomatoes have been risky without added protection. We have been working hard at transplanting many varieties of flowers and vegetables so that they will be in the best possible condition when the weather says: "Garden!"
The greenhouse has been open for a little over a week and some of the new varieties have moved off the shelf. We still have an abundance of popular accent plants, planters,and hanging baskets. Don't let the early shoppers discourage you. We are continuing to transplant fast growing flower and vegetable varieties so they will be at the right size when you show up in early June!
May has arrived and our greenhouse is full as well as many others in Central Wisconsin. The record warmth in March brought out a lot of interest in plants, but face it, this is Wisconsin and Shirley, the weather will change and don't call me Shirley! Not everyone received the two inches of accumulated snow on April 19th, but it did show that planting season had not yet arrived.
What can we do now that May is here? Cool weather crops may be planted in our gardens at this time. The list includes peas, carrots, and onions. Warm weather vegetables like cucumbers, pumpkins, and sweet corn of the super-sweet varieties must wait for the soil to warm and danger of frost has passed. Despite the recent cool daytime temperatures, greenhouse conditions have been balmy and many plants will struggle to adjust to the cool breezes and frigid nights. Anyone who has their car parked outside and works the day shift, is tired of scraping the frost from their windows. The average last frost date for this area is mid-month May. I can't wait! Be warned though, this IS Wisconsin. May we get through this month and enjoy all the benefits gardening has to offer. |
AuthorSFA Greenhouse will attempt to maintain this blog and keep everyone up to date with activities in the greenhouse. Archives
April 2020
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