In what one can only describe as an early spring here, we had unseasonably warm and wet weather here over this past weekend. It was in the mid to upper 40's here on Saturday. It began to rain mid day Saturday and really didn't stop from there on. Sunday was even warmer as the temps went up the the low 60's.
Given this rain was predicted, I went out to my rain barrels and composters on Sunday morning in between downpours to set them up. I took the lids off of three of my composters to allow the rains to soak the leaves and compost to get them active again. I then hooked up two rain barrels to give me water to clean them out. I did this so I wouldn't have to drag hoses out given they are put away for the winter. Every drop counts as they say!
Not much has been going on with the actual garden as it is still very much winter here. When I went out to my garden on Sunday morning, my shoes were sinking into the muddy ground. I wont be venturing out there over the next couple of days to allow the ground to dry out some. But one certainly can't tell it is winter by the weather we are having. The long term forecast is for our temps to be about 10-15 degrees warmer than normal for the next 15 days. This is the same pattern we had last year, and just like last year, I am chomping at the bits to plant some early season crops. I am on the fence this year as I remember my remorse for not planting aggressively last year. I still have a little time to ponder that - but not much.
And, speaking of time, I will be starting the construction of my new greenhouse soon enough. It won't be this weekend as the weather forecast is for rain to start on Friday and probably not end until the following Monday. Looks like it will be another indoors weekend.
I will most likely begin planting root crops in my hydroponic system sometime this week. It is located inside a poly greenhouse that I have in my backyard. It's next to my shed so it is not affected by winds and actually keeps the low temps about 6-10 degrees higher than the actual lows. The nightime projected temps here are supposed to be in the mid to upper 30's according to the National Weather Service so I should be fine.
I hope you are beginning to get excited about gardening for another season. It certainly is time here in the mid-atlantic for it. Until next time, Happy Gardening everyone!
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