Weather in the High Desert

I got dressed to head out side and hula hoe this morning.  My spring weeds are on the move and I don't want to get to far behind. I stepped outside but had to come back in for a heavier sweater, rats.

The past 4 days we have been awaiting wet weather only to be stuck with cold dry winds. Welcome to the high desert.

For those of you who may be new to Northern Nevada you will need to expect the unexpected when in comes to our unique weather.
I am an advocate for making sure I have something to cover my blooming tulips and cool season crops.

I would also suggest to watch the weather, my favorite and the most reliable is KTVN evening with, Mike Alger. Not only are the reports very accurate, he delivers them so well.
Here is the link.          
http://www.ktvn.com/weather.

Well, that is it for today, hopefully I will make some head way with my weeds today.
Happy Gardening

Marnie Brennan GardenCoach Reno Nevada

Other things the heat can bring

I read on my face book page that one of my friends had an interesting morning with a spider in her bath tub. It made me think that when we experience whether extremes insects find there way into the home. It turns out I too had a spider in the kitchen sink I had to deal with. I am not put off at all by spiders, but keep snakes away.
So, a heads up gardeners pest are not always in the garden, enjoy your day.

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

Every Spring is Different in the High Desert

I was only able to spend an hour in my gardens early this morning, have a full and fun day planned. We have been enjoying a beautiful spring this season and it made me think of springs that were very unfriendly and made spring gardening miserable. High desert gardeners have to learn how to be ready for any kind of weather, makes us a bit stronger and wiser don't you think.

Plant, seed, weed, mulch garden beds and anything else you want or need to do, the Northern Nevada spring 2013 is perfect, so far anyway.
Here is a photo from a FB friend to help you mulch garden beds with smaller perennials, great idea and I will now use it in my garden.
I will chat with you all on Monday,
Happy Gardening