Working Weeekend

It was warm (not too hot) this weekend and we had to wait till Sunday, as frost was still present on Saturday morning. Saturday, I have focused on "fighting" dandelions with vinegar.  Used at least 3 gallons to reduce spread of this plant.  I do not have anything against and lots of for, but to appease neighbors, I try to keep control of it.  Like I said, only use natural product.  Missed the early spring corn meal time due to dry weather so now spraying with vinegar.
Sunday, we have focused on transplanting the rest of tomatoes to outside garden and transplanted some of the pepper starters as well, but those into tunnel.  It is official now, no longer buying lettuce as we have now supply (two kinds of our won lettuce) .   I did some pruning and re-planting of the lettuce as it was pretty dense.  Will see if this worked (will check today).  The big thing this weekend, we have planted two apple trees that we have bought few days ago.  Given that frost treat has diminished and looks like overnight temperatures for Calgary are in 7-10 deg C range, even with 3 degree differential, we should be safe and hence decision for transplanting.  Long weekend looks like will be rainy so grass will grow after.  Overall, it was very busy weekend and productive one as well.  Now we just need to watch things grow (o maybe add some water) no more hard labor, just easy weeding.

Snow ... frost.. typical May

Yesterday I woke up to snow covering my lawn, not too much but about 2 cm. This morning ~-4 dec C temperature, and it was cold.  Wend and inspected tunnels, after my wife indicated that doors are frozen in "big' tunnel.  Kicked the latch and opened, all seems to be fine, everything  looked ok.   Happy with this.  Bit worry about apple tree in full blossom and frost may cause some flower to be wasted, but I am optimistic that -4 was not cold enough to cause damage.

Brrr ......

... it was cold this morning, very frosty, -4 dec C on my weather station monitor.  I noticed yesterday that my potatoes showed sign of frost yesterday so decided to cover those, also, lit candles in the tunnels overnight.  In the tunnels all looked good no visible sign of frost.  In the yard different story, we planted couple of lilac bushes and definitely a bit distressing sign.  I know they will survive as these are hardy plants, but still my wife was very upset, as she made decision to plant.  Well, it looks like we will have to deal with frost over next few nights, possibly snow flurries tonight. We will have to work on protecting things in the tunnels and outside, that is the life of gardener at high elevation ;-).

Watching things grow ...

Yeas, that is what I do now.  All seeds are in the ground, all I have to do is, to wait.  Well, still have some starters to transplant outside (some tomatoes, cabbage) and plant peppers in the tunnel.  Will do that next week as this week seems pretty iffy in terms of low temperatures.  Those are hovering around freezing mark in the morning, the entire week.  I had to put thick handle last night in the large tunnel just in case.  Forgot to mention, Saturday night, northern light display were amazing.
I am hoping that radishes in the small tunnel will be big and ready for consumption by the next weekend.
So I am watching grass grow, garden becoming greener, my wife talking of getting some new ornamental bushes.  Almost forgot, the apple trees planted 1.5 year ago are blossoming wonderfully, maybe some apples,... no holding my breath as it takes at least couple of years min. to get apples.

Hot Weekend Update

Another hot weekend, my station recorded 30 deg C, so it was warm.  Worked in the garden in the morning and afterwards enjoyed staying in the shade.  Here are some pictures from my garden.
This is first cucumber flower (one growing in the new tunnel (transplant)).

Update on rhubarb- as you can see it is pretty much ready, but it will grow a lot more.

 

As I mentioned, my lettuce is ready and we ate it first time this weekend.

Another news, potatoes that we have planted on April 18 are now breaking through.

Fruits

Purchased three bushes of raspberries and will plant those this weekend.  Almost forgot, we had a real rain yesterday ~4 mm in total, that is better than nothing.  Unfortunately it was only in southern portion of the province and no relief yet for fiery north.
My adventure with raspberries started sometime ago.  We planted some about 11 years ago at old property and in the next few years we had a jungle (despite cutting back every year).  My wife was in "heave" as she loves raspberries, so was my dog (she loves any berries and know how to pick them straight from the bush LOL).
Once we moved, I had to recreate the "jungle" and after planting bushes in early spring, I subjected them to late frost and slow growth.  It was dry and well, lets say "jungle" did not materialize, despite my assurance to my wife that it will (I eat my ...).  So this year I need to prop my authority on gardening, by planting more and making sure we have "a jungle" by mid-summer.  I guess, I will have to do more research to ensure success and not relay on pure luck.  Well, wish me luck and total "green thumb" this weekend.
Update, as I was stating, my lettuce is going to be served at mother's day dinner.  rain has helped, though, this morning surprising message from my weather station, display indicated -1 deg C.  Have not assessed status of plants in the tunnels yet, but suspect -1 should not have nay impact on it.  Nice surprised, potatoes that I have planted 2.5 weeks ago, they are broke through and leave are showing up.  That was nice surprise, especially in comparison with last year attempt (will post picture later).

Shower...

Looks like we may have gotten a rain shower this morning,will confirm later on if my weather station recorded any.   I spend evening yesterday trying to rescue lawn patches that were really dry.  Weather has cooled in the southern part of the province  and bit of moisture has materialized.  Unfortunately, North is still total inferno as of now the fire is about 85000 hectares(!!!) and still raging, moving south.  The opinion is that this fire cannot be put out using firefighting equipment alone, and only nature intervention i.e. cool and possibly rainy weather can only help.  That is not in forecast until the weekend.  I am hoping that forecast will change and relief will arrive sooner.

In the event of the crisis and people misery it is hard to talk about my adventures in the garden.  My thought are with affected people and focus i on how I can my myself useful (besides financial help).  So proud to see sign of support and altruism from people in this province and country, proud to be Canadian and Albertan. Let's keep the good work.