I appreciate your note about overly relying on the recommendations of your local extension office... Evidence-based gardening doesn’t always account for the hyper-local environment of your property (or the impacts of increasing climate change). And sometimes, you can make a variety thrive for a bizarre reason that others can’t replicate. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I appreciate the work of the extensions—I was a Master Gardener in Utah and loved it. I also learned that the purpose of the extension (at least in Utah) was narrowly focused on maximizing production, as if that were the only reason to garden! But I’m sure part of that is rooted in WWII, as well as the basic fact of aridity in the west. I wonder how local offices compare from one part of the country to another. Thanks for reading (and for writing—I’ve been enjoying your posts!)
Just bought a Sungold plant this afternoon from my son's school farmer's market! I used to always start seeds but I "cheat" now and do transplants too. With springtime weather so unpredictable, your method sounds like the way to mitigate the too-hot, too-cold conundrum while on our tomato-bearing camels:-). I remember a couple years ago when we had an uncharacteristically mild June--it was like the best tomato weather ever! (Not expecting to see that again anytime soon though!) Really enjoyed the post, thank you!
I remember that June, too! In restrospect, we could have grown big beefeater heirlooms to our heart's delight that year. But to your point, May got very hot, very fast last year. I'm really hoping we don't get a repeat this year. Glad to hear from you, Michele. I hope you're well!
I appreciate your note about overly relying on the recommendations of your local extension office... Evidence-based gardening doesn’t always account for the hyper-local environment of your property (or the impacts of increasing climate change). And sometimes, you can make a variety thrive for a bizarre reason that others can’t replicate. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I appreciate the work of the extensions—I was a Master Gardener in Utah and loved it. I also learned that the purpose of the extension (at least in Utah) was narrowly focused on maximizing production, as if that were the only reason to garden! But I’m sure part of that is rooted in WWII, as well as the basic fact of aridity in the west. I wonder how local offices compare from one part of the country to another. Thanks for reading (and for writing—I’ve been enjoying your posts!)
Just bought a Sungold plant this afternoon from my son's school farmer's market! I used to always start seeds but I "cheat" now and do transplants too. With springtime weather so unpredictable, your method sounds like the way to mitigate the too-hot, too-cold conundrum while on our tomato-bearing camels:-). I remember a couple years ago when we had an uncharacteristically mild June--it was like the best tomato weather ever! (Not expecting to see that again anytime soon though!) Really enjoyed the post, thank you!
I remember that June, too! In restrospect, we could have grown big beefeater heirlooms to our heart's delight that year. But to your point, May got very hot, very fast last year. I'm really hoping we don't get a repeat this year. Glad to hear from you, Michele. I hope you're well!