Knowing your tender plants

The one thing high desert gardeners can count on is unwelcome weather at the most inopportune times. Many gardeners just can’t help themselves and once the weather warms, and stay warm, we plant. We are the same gardeners that have the tools to cover those ‘tender’ plants when needed. A tender plant is one that can’t take temperatures lower than 38° to 40°. Of the top of my head the list includes basil, pepper, squash, impatient and marigolds.

Every newscaster in our area always mention tomatoes, but they leave out peppers, basil and squash. You will find these plants in garden centers before they should be planted, and that is okay. Just buy them and put them in a safe place until we are done with hard freezing weather. Our traditional planting time is Memorial Day Weekend here, but like many of you I was out there weeks ago planting and enjoying our lovely spring, I did plant basil and will now have to re-plant.

This photo is a tomato plant that went in May 6^th and was not ever covered, even last

night and look, she is okay.  I am NOT telling you to ignore your tomatoes; I am just making sure you know there are more tender plants in your garden that may need covering during the unsteady days of spring.

Enjoy your day in the garden

Marnie