Gardening runs in my family. As far back as I can remember, my dad and Grandpa would compete to see who could have their garden in the ground first. A few years ago I finally had a place of my own where I could join the game.
In the Black Hills putting in your garden early is always a crap shoot. April, May and even June can fickle. Last winter I heard a story on NPR about cold-frame gardening. I was so intrigued that I spent a number of days researching cold-frames. Cold-frames have become the game-changer. (I do consider it cheating but I still like to tease both my dad and Grandpa when I have things growing long before they even think about planting.
Last weekend Jake and I planted one cold-frame, started seedlings and a couple of container gardens. We really wondered if it wasn’t a little (or maybe a lot!) early but with the record temps forecasted for the week we figured the worst would be that we would have to replant if they all freeze.
This past week exceeded the weather forecasts. We set multiple records and got a few sunburns to boot. It was beautiful and perfect for growing new life! In fact, the cold frames had to be cracked open most days because they were getting too warm inside. We had to be extra diligent about watering them because our weather was more like July then March.
I knew the cold-frames would get stuff sprouting but imagine my surprise when I looked in to water Thursday evening and saw this…
Only five days after planting we had life! You’d think after thirty-some years of being around gardens I’d quit being excited and surprised when things grow but I’m always amazed, grateful and very excited! It’s definitely a miracle. Of course, once I saw that the plants were sprouting I had to go check out the trees around our house.
More new life! And then I had to call my dad and rub it in, just a little!
Here’s to a great weekend! I hope you get to find a bit of new life in your backyard too!
~R
