It’s been a few weeks since I got the veg beds planted up with seeds. The last week of May was unseasonably hot (think 30 Celsius/86 Fahrenheit) and dry. The temps have dropped down to something more seasonable, but we still haven’t had any rain. In fact, it’s been about three weeks since we’ve had a drop. I’ve tried to keep the beds watered, but life has gotten in the way a few days.
I think the heat and the water have definitely played a factor in the results so far. The carrots have not germinated at all. Same with the squash. And the one small squash seedling I did have, withered and died in the heat wave.
Neither the chives or the catnip in the pots are showing signs of life. And the strawberries are struggling. None of the new (bare root) plants I put in are growing yet. And the older plants are on the thin side.
But, there are a few berries on them, so that’s something.
The cherry tomatoes, which are the only pre-grown veg I bought, are doing really well.
My wee asparagus sprouts have turn into asparagus ferns. And I think they are just the prettiest things. I’ve learned that you leave these ferns until they die off in the fall, so they will be a nice decorative touch in the garden all summer
There are quite a few cucumber sprouts and they are just starting to get their true leaves. When I was a kid, we grew pickling cukes, as Mom made lots of pickles. I don’t make pickles, so these are an eating cuke. It will be fun seeing how well I do with them.
The snap peas are also doing really well. I have to get some strings up for them to climb soon.
The beans are also doing well. I have two types – Tender bean and Long bean. Dave likes to eat beans raw right off the plant, so hopefully these do really well and he gets lots of snacking opportunies.
Last is the garlic. I’ve tried growing garlic before, with not-so-stellar results. I’m hoping this has a better turn-out because I absolutely love cooking with fresh garlic!
So to sum up – despite our hot, dry conditions, at least half of the beds are doing well. And I haven’t given up on the things that haven’t made an appearance yet. They may show up yet!
Wandering Cat Studio 
Here’s hoping you get some rain soon! Our garden has been struggling due to lack of rain as well. We did get a very short storm yesterday afternoon. It rained hard…but not enough to get all the pollen off my car!
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We’re under a smog advisory today from your wildfires. Code orange. What a mess this spring has been. I can’t complain about the cool temps down here but we need rain too. My lawn looks like early fall-not summer. I’m not sure how it’s going to survive the summer heat-if it ever gets here.
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It seems like it’s dry pretty much everywhere…except where it’s flooding. There is no happy in-between anymore. We’re really dry here too, and the gardens behind our condo aren’t looking very happy. It’s been so hot here already. Over 90F all this week. Just miserable.
I miss growing cucumbers and making refrigerator pickles. They were our kids favorites. Also fresh green beans. Yum!
Hope your day is fantastic Val.
Blessings and hugs,
Betsy
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Glad to see your veggie gardens are doing well despite the weather. It’s really dry here also and the state just declared a burn ban as a result. In the spring we normally have lots of rain and then a dry summer. I wonder what will happen here then? And boy are we going to have a big water bill!
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I think your garden is doing great especially when you consider the weather you have experienced and lack of rain. It has been a cooler than normal spring here in NC which is wonderful for me. Fortunately, we have had adequate rain thus far. Today we have code red weather advisory due to the smoke from the wildfires.
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With your green thumb and magic soil, the plants will thrive.
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Hope you get rain soon! Rain water is like magic 🙂
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Yes, yes, YES we need rain!
Not enough snow this Winter, and now it’s been dry for weeks.
The Hubby makes pickles from lots of things, and a way to a woman’s heart is through her pickle-loving stomach, right?
😉
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Weather is always a factor when we grow veggies! Ours is requiring a ton of watering to combat the dry spell, too!
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