As I write this over Memorial Day weekend, I realize the need to make an addition to the column I wrote about proper soil temperatures. I left out the need for proper atmospheric temperatures, not for the plants as much, but for the gardener.
Warmth is, of course, a relative thing to a gardener. We are Alaska gardeners, so we know we are not going to be out there wearing Hawaiian shirts and shorts. Those of us who have been doing this for a few decades have come to expect cool planting weather, but when I dream in the winter about planting out in the new season, I don’t visualize wearing my down puffy jacket.
My Dad had a special pair of gardening shoes he wore during the wet season. I have special gardening vests, coats and warm gloves. During some springs I have even resorted to wearing long underwear so I could go about cleaning up and putting in the gardens in relative warmth.
For me the upside is that a cool spring helps the reader to appreciate why I so often insist that all leaky hoses get repaired when they start to leak and tossed if they can’t be fixed. It is just too darn cold to get wet while taking care of plants, especially since the water comes out of that outdoor faucet at 40 degrees.
And while I also push quick connect/disconnect connectors on all hoses and watering tools, I didn’t point out the need to be able to turn off the hose without going back to the faucet so you can remove or connect tools like sprinklers and watering wands. Some connectors have built-in valves that automatically shut off the water flow when disconnected while others will require the addition of a separate on/off piece to do the job.
Of course, we need to consider the plants, too, when it is, shall we say, “unseasonably cool.” We waited at least for the soil to get warm enough and then we come along with 40 degree water straight from the outdoor faucet. The plants do not appreciate it anymore than you do. And nor do the all-important microbes in the soil that feed them. They can quickly recover when it is warmer, but recovery is slower when it is so cool.
Listen to the “Teaming with Microbes” podcast:
The solution, of course, is to water with warm water. If I was building a new house, I would make sure to include both cold and hot water for outdoor faucets. I am not, so a water barrel or hardware buckets kept full of water will ensure your plants and their soils can get at least ambient temperature water which is hopefully higher than 40 degrees!
You can use cloches — think tiny greenhouses — to cover individual plants or construct a low tunnel greenhouse system, though I cannot advise making yours out of plastic anymore.
British gardeners have all manner of glass and ceramic ones they’ve been using for centuries. These are great for early rhubarb and individual plants. So are appropriately placed cardboard windbreaks. If you happen to have old windows or glass doors laying around — and what Alaskan doesn’t — you can make A-frames to put over plants. Heck, turn over a bench to block wind. Hopefully, the need will only be temporary as it will warm up.
Sure, it’s been cool so far this season, but we have another week or so to get annuals and vegetables into the ground, be they by seed or starts, and still guarantee a harvest before frost. My strong suggestion is that you coat up if necessary and get out there and get the job done.
Jeff’s Alaska Garden Calendar
Alaska Botanical Garden: Things are blooming. The nursery is open. The crew has been busy! Time to visit the gem of Anchorage. You don’t have to join but you won’t regret doing so.
Dandelions: First flush is here. If you don’t want to see these flowers, mow them down. Spraying does not work. Do not spray. If it was effective, don’t you think the dandelion would have been eradicated by now?
Delphiniums: Get those defoliating caterpillars that are right now eating the new shoots.
Butter and eggs: It is never too early to pull these plants.