Hoop House Monitor

[Lavender2]

Yeah, this chilly night stuff is wearing me out. Last night I said the heck with it, predicted low was 45° (usually means 5° colder for me)....turned the heater on in the porch and went to bed. Got up at 3am and it was 50° in the porch, YAY! Got up at 5am, breaker had blown, now 43°, I don't know why, but that's my panic number. Then, of course, an hour after the sun comes up, got to open the windows and get the fan going.

I'm hoping to get everything out for the second partial day in the sun before it clouds up today.

I hope your damage wasn't too bad @digitS' ... we're suppose to get some severe stuff on Thursday. Yuck!

 

[digitS']

! Well, if 43º is your panic number, @Lavender2 . . .

Nah, I'd already caved, gone out and set up the heaters & fans, before I read this. Somehow, I don't imagine you as much of a slave-driver, Lavender .

It's already back to 46º in the shed. If anyone thinks we are coddling these plants, just know that the oldest tomatoes, along with the zinnias, are in a little hoopie on the lawn. No heater and nothing between them and the outdoors other than 2 sheets of plastic. Yep, they are gonna have to face 43º in the open, soon.

Steve

 

[Smart Red]

I sure hope not. It has to become more temperate as we move further into May, doesn't it?

We haven't had frosting temps for over four weeks and none is predicted by the local weather folks. I want to get everything outside, but keep thinking "what if" and don't plant.

Lack of courage or brilliant caution? Only time will tell.

 

[digitS']

Experiencing mornings in the 30's is very likely for my tomato plants. No doubt, it isn't so great for them and I wonder how much stunting results. The peppers haven't even begun transitioning to cooler-than-60 but they obviously suffer from our June weather.

You know your corner of the world, @Smart Red . I'm convinced our growing season (not winters) could be classified as "Mediterranean." What does that mean? Consistent, day-to-day. Not day-to-night. This is nearly Alpine. There's no massive polar air mass descending on us. There is also no crazy mixing of fronts Canadian cold and warm/moist, from the Gulf of Mexico!

Weeks of cool, cloudy spring weather. If we are unlucky - it will run right thru June! Cool nights, 365/year and all that will be challenging for lots of things.

Steve

 

[Smart Red]

Whew! I guess those growing zones are only so helpful. I thought we were about the same, but obviously my climate has its differences from yours despite the zone numbers.

 

[NwMtGardener]

Erk, did you see our forecasted lows for tonight and tomorrow? 30*!! i guess we'll be hauling everything in and spreading it out on the dining room table.

 

[Gardening with Rabbits]

My tomatoes stay out all night under plastic and the peppers, basil, and eggplant go out if sunny under the plastic and back inside before the sun is off them. I have the basil out of the plastic right now and they did have sun and now cloudy and probably better run to go get them before it starts raining or sleeting on them.

 

[ninnymary]

You guys are making me tired just listening to you carry stuff back and forth! lol It seems like a lot of work but I guess with your temps you have no choice. I always wonder how long it takes all of you to do that. Does anybody help you?

Mary

 

[NwMtGardener]

My hubby helps. And it only takes me about 2 minutes, since i have a small garden and its close to my house. The biggest hassle for me is where to put them inside our little house.

 

[digitS']

At least, we know by implication that Heather's plants survived 2 nights of camping!

Yeah, lucky for me, I don't have a job. DW had more responsibility then but the garden size grew later. I also began to focus on the "instant garden!" I'm more comfortable in the greenhouse during bad weather and I kinda see how messing around in there means more & bigger when we do finally get into the garden! Nothing all that "instant" about it either . . . maybe from the neighbors' perspective.

DW helps. I can do the carrying and she does the putting.

Steve