Here is our backyard last weekend. Thankfully, all the plants had already been harvested except for the tomatoes. I put in a cover crop of winter rye two weeks ago and it has already started to take hold, though the results are not nearly as nice as I would have liked.
Next year, my goal is to put up a little greenhouse so that I can extend the season by another month or so. :)
Bend was on our short-list of places to look at when we retired; but we never got there. We fell in love with Prescott first. It's a pretty picture. The trees covered with snow. And the folding chair in case you want to read the paper in the chilly morning air.
Raccoons ate all our tomatoes long ago when they were still green. And the artichoke plants. Sadly, I'm not sure we will be able to put up a greenhouse. I think there might be a covenant in the deed that would prevent it.
Good luck with the garden.
Winter is coming to MN also. Its already snowed twice but this weekend was spectacular, sunny and 60s.
Hi Steve812,
Yes, in the three weeks since the photo above we haven't had any more snow. I hear el nino is supposed to make for a warm and dry winter around here... who knows, right?
I agree, it's hard to know. Last year we had an 18F hard frost second week in October. Killed lots of perennials (don't wish to say how many) I had just bought. This year, gratefully, no frost yet, and none in the fifteen day forecast. Lots of new plants being sprayed with "freeze-pruf" so they can keep growing during the mild daytime temps. Days are in the 70's and sunny.
I love the occasional snow storm, and would miss snow if I lived where it never happened. Really beautiful stuff. But once or twice a year is probably my limit.
I look forward to hearing more about everyone's gardens as you plan for spring.
Steve - we were taliking on the SW Forum that the Southwest is predicted to have a warmer and wetter winter this year according to the Farmers' Almanac. So maybe you won't see much snow this year. Here in Phoenix we can definitely use the wetter... jury's still out on the warmer - lol.
Kelly
P.S. I was born and raised in Maine. Beautiful country, but so so so cold in the winter. I miss the snow, just not the cold. My Mom said it was snowing when I talked to her yesterday...
locakelly-I know its off topic, but I have family in Millinocket. Last years vacation took us to Portland, up to Old Orchard beach, up the coast (absolutely beautiful) to Acadia. When we finally landed in Millinocket of course we hit Baxter for some hiking, saw some moose, and went rafting down the Penobscot. Ate a few lobsters too. The weather was perfect and it was an awesome two weeks. I love Maine.
TMaple - Maine is one of the most beautiful places I have ever lived. I grew up in a town called Caribou about 10 minutes from the Canadian border. All the places you visited I have been to many times. Beautiful places! Nice you have family there (me too!) so you can visit, isn't it?
I love Maine, too. I've never been farther upstate than Rangely (sp) but I have visited for a week or so during autumn a number of times. Acadia National Park I consider one of the loveliest places I've been.
