| Gardening in Wisconsin, by Billie A Williams Is like playing the lottery. You can’t win if you don’t play, but sometimes Mother Nature is a bit treacherous, especially in Wisconsin. Two days ago we had a temperature that doesn’t happen usually until July, it was 78 degrees. The night was hot, the next day blustery and only 50 degrees. Today we barely made it to 40 degrees with a wind that could blow the fuzz off a peach. Yes it was that razor sharp and bitter. We humans don’t do too well in this jumble but the poor plants are equally confused. Our Maple blooms burst open on Monday – and are quivering as we speak today. I only hope the apples and other fruits don’t set blossoms too soon – if they freeze there goes the fruit for this season. A mild frost can be combated – spray or mist your plants before the sun hits them. This usually saves them from frost burn. Even later in the season. In Florida they use smudge pots but they take constant monitoring. I’ve had good luck with the water treatment. A hard frost – not much you can do about that. If you know it’s coming you can cover with cloth or some other medium but it doesn’t always work in a hard frost. The tulips, crocus and early flowering plants are well up and it’s okay to clean debris from around them – they are like set onions a little frost doesn’t usually bother them. Time to get those Calla Lillies started too; indoors of course they do not tolerate cold. But you can get them off to a good start before the last frost date. Be sure to check your extension office for the last frost date in your area. You can start cleaning beds, but don’t get in a hurry to plant anything if you live in Northern Wisconsin even in a good season our last frost date is Memorial Day – I’ve known it to snow as late as June 15 (my oldest daughter’s birthday) of course it doesn’t stay, but it sure spoils many a garden when it gets that cold. Get outside and enjoy the sunshine cleaning your yard and gardens trimming those trees that have been winter damaged and perking up your mental health at the same time. Sunshine is good for you. Happy Gardening. You may share this article as long as you leave the resource box in tact. www.billiewilliams.com copyright 2007 |