Friday, June 23, 2006

the calendar says it's summer

...but the thermometer says 39 degrees F this morning! I just dug out my wool socks; glad I didn't stash them away too far! I have mentioned before about how I live in The Coldest Spot in Minnesota; I'm beginning to believe that deep down by the bedrock (Hinckley Sandstone) right underneath this place, there lies a giant ice block that never melted after the last Ice Age.

But really, I much prefer this to heat and humidity. My peas, Swiss chard, lettuce, and spinach like it too. The tomatoes and peppers, however, are going to get their plastic hoophouse covers put on today, to give them a little boost. Maybe "Sub Arctic Plenty" will be my best new tomato variety of the year. I'm not joking; that is a real name of a real open-pollinated tomato developed in the 1940's for the US Air Force base in Greenland. If it works in Greenland, it just might have a chance here.

I took a day off work today, so I get to play in my garden! That is, after I finish mowing the foot-tall grass in the back yard. I should just let the sheep graze back there, if we had a way to keep them fenced in. Of course, I do have a nine year old boy with no plans for the day.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow! It's amazing what a difference just a few hundred miles make. I'm in the Twin Cities, and we certainly didn't have 39 degrees this AM! However, I do envy you your spinach and peas - my spinach bolted two weeks ago, and I cut down all my shell peas last weekend.

I've been enjoying your blog for the past few weeks. My husband and I would love to move to northern MN, if only we didn't have to work.

R.Powers said...

Ahhh, summer, 9 years old...no plans. That is living.

Anonymous said...

39 degrees sounds wonderful! Here in Maine, it is hot and humid, today. I love cool weather, and Maine is getting warmer. Enjoy your socks.

robin andrea said...

We're in the midst of a pacific northwest heatwave. Upper 80s and supposed to get warmer by Sunday. I'm a cold-weather lover so this weather has me wilting. I must admit, though, 39 sounds a bit cold for the day after summer solstice. So, who mowed the yard?

Lené Gary said...

Hope you had a great day off. I'm enjoying the cooler weather too, though ours hasn't been quite that chilly.

Deb said...

talbin- thanks for commenting. I love your blog too-your garden is beautiful! It will be interesting to compare notes as the season progresses.

floridacracker- he doesn't know how good he has it at his age!

sandy- it did feel good to slip those socks on.

robin andrea- Calvin ended up getting invited over to a friend's house, so I ended up mowing. I didn't really mind it though, it's great exercise.

lene- I enjoyed it, although I didn't get much done in the garden.

doubleknot said...

39%F - wow - we are dealing with 90 plus heat down here and praying for more rain. My heat resistant bean that were suppose to go through the hottest weather have bit the dust. I won't be trying them again till the weather cools off. Good luck on your tomatoes.