Halfway

[digitS']

While cutting some flowers Friday, I had a thought. Where are we on this whirling Earth?

When I was working at the rose greenhouse, our "quickest" varieties could grow from a bud to bloom, the complete cycle, in 6 weeks. Growing conditions were controlled in a greenhouse. We even had supplemental lighting.

We are passing the midway point of summer. Outdoor flowers are not all roses and conditions are beyond our control. My garden has had frost in August, before. Can it make it to 7:21 AM, September 21 (the moment here when the sun is directly above the equator)? Sure. I will be optimistic and even allow for another two weeks . Of course, cool weather will slow everything ... I'm ignoring that. Yep.

Halfway between the summer solstice and the fall equinox. Where are we in our gardens?

Steve

 

[Ridgerunner]

Where am I halfway between solstice and equinox? Trying to harvest and store what I can, put a fresh veggie on the table on a regular basis, badly losing the battle against weeds and especially grass, juggling freezer space, and trying to decide if I want to try a fall garden. It's tough starting cool weather crops in my summer conditions (hot and dry) but if I'm going to have one I have start next week.

I think you make a good point. Normal days to harvest mean something different now than when planting in the spring. Instead of the days getting longer and warmer, they will be getting shorter and eventually cooler. Another issue is that the bug population is now well established and they love tender fresh vegetation. I've had bugs, especially grasshoppers, ruin my fall garden soon after the plants come up.

 

[digitS']

@journey11 has the sunrise on August, 2016 picture.

My gardens have had an August 28th frost, as their earliest in recent history. I can't remember when there was frost back in the 70's, when I lived at a higher elevation ... too early then.

I always pretend that there won't be frost in September and that it will hold off until next month. Unless we have rapid temperature swings, the actual frost won't matter much. Soon, plant growth will slow to nearly stopping.

One warm-season veggie that this doesn't seem to be true for is green beans. They just go right ahead and mature their pods. It's been very warm right up until today but the July planting of beans may need that characteristic next week. Showers and cool overnight temperatures are forecast. We will see what will happen when those rain clouds blow away! I'm not at all ready to begin those big raids on the gardens, trying to get loads of stuff before Jack Frost shuts things down for the cold months.

Oh, and the flowers right now? They are beginning to develop that spindly, late season look. Maybe it has to do with the sunlight coming so much from one direction - south. The great arc of the summer sun really does help many plants here in their growth. Keeps the grass happy on the north side of my house ... and not in too much competition with the moss.

Steve

 

[Smart Red]

Walking temps this morning in the mid-sixties. Definitely September temperatures although I agree it's usually later in the month that the fall cool-off comes. First day of school for the youngest grands as well, today. Lots of happy moms and pops in the area for sure.

 

[Chickie'sMomaInNH]

i've been watching temps too. they were predicting tonight to drop into the upper 40's but a change in forecast decided to bring it back up into the mid 50's. the daytime temps over the next few days should be in the 70's but nighttime temps hovering in the 50's till we get a rise again in temps next week.

usually by the time the fair arrives we will be closer to having our first mild frost to take out the tender plants. this is around mid September but this year, again seems to be off with it's temps.

here's hoping for the rain from the remains of the now hurricane Hermine when it is supposed to reach us this Sunday going into Monday. we really need the rain & there are more areas that are freaking out about drought conditions.

 

[digitS']

@Chickie'sMomaInNH interesting coasts the US has ... @buckabucka posted that picture of the furthest east sunset, in Maine obviously looking back at Washington State .

Your location lines up with Port Orford in Oregon. Westernmost location for the lower 48 is nearby. Anyway, compare the climate data charts for your nearby city:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portsmouth,_New_Hampshire#Climate

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Orford,_Oregon#Climate

Like daily average temperatures, each month ... it's true up and down the coasts ... Why is the Atlantic Coast so much colder/hotter? I know, we would have to spin the Earth in the opposite direction to make a difference.

Steve
who once lived only about 50miles from that furthest west Pacific cape

 

[Chickie'sMomaInNH]

wikipedia i think needs an update to that chart, i can tell since it mentioned Pan Am Clipper Connection & they haven't been working out of Pease Trade Port (former Air Force Base) for many years now. it is now Allegient flying in & out of there-mostly to Florida. beats going to Manchester or down to Boston's Logan Int'l airport.

those moisture totals seem far off from what they should be for November to March. November is usually dryer than that. September is when we have Rochester Fair & i can always predict we get a few days of heavy downpours during that 10 day stretch (usually Sunday through Wednesday & then picking up again by the next weekend with light drizzle.)

part of the reason for the wacky temps is because we have the mountain ranges that slow the flow of air & weather which can help cool it before it comes to the other side. the Appalachian mountain range which starts in Alabama & runs up the east coast to parts of Canada. in my state includes the White Mountains where Mt Washington is located. if you ever see the maps of the weather you notice the long line of rain/clouds following the range.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_Mountains#/media/File:Greatvalley-map.png

 

[journey11]

part of the reason for the wacky temps is because we have the mountain ranges that slow the flow of air & weather which can help cool it before it comes to the other side. the Appalachian mountain range which starts in Alabama & runs up the east coast to parts of Canada. in my state includes the White Mountains where Mt Washington is located. if you ever see the maps of the weather you notice the long line of rain/clouds following the range.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_Mountains#/media/File:Greatvalley-map.png

I've noticed that too, crossing under the tunnel through Big Walker Mountain on I-77, through the Blue Ridge Mountains section of the Appalachians. Many times you will be driving up from the south-eastern side where the sun is shining and come out on the north-western side to snow or heavy rain. It's like the clouds just get stuck!

 

[digitS']

Half way through September ..!

Thirty days hath September,
April, June, and November.
All the rest have thirty-one,
Except for February ...

I feel like the growing season is sliding downhill except for "this week," "this day." The slide is the ground shifting beneath my feet. It really is ... nothing can be done. We just need to try to stay upright and not tumble, get banged up .

Steve

 

[so lucky]

That kinda sums it up for life in general, when you get to be "olde", as you say.