Disasters into delights!

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NoH2O Everson, WA(Zone 8a) Jun 27, 2003

Every once in a while what appears to be a gardening disaster turns out to be a blessing in disguise! For instance, last year we had a cold wet late spring and then in June the temps shot up in the 90's and stayed there all summer. It also stopped raining for the rest of the summer. So my garden went from underwater to baked cement in about 5 days. I hadn't been able to plant my zinnias which usually go in about May 15. Finally at the beginning of August I said what the heck and planted them anyway. I kept them watered and mulched them well after they sprouted. They turned out to be the healthiest zinnias I have ever grown. They never developed powdery mildew and looked fresh and healthy until the frost killed them in October. Usually my zinnias look so bad by August that I am ready to pull them up. I've decided to plant them in late July/early August from now on. They grow much better and it frees up time in spring when I am soooo busy. I was wondering if anyone else has had disasters turn into delights?

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Horseshoe Efland, NC(Zone 7a) Jun 27, 2003

Yep! In past efforts to be the first one at the market to have cukes I'd plant them ASAP. But the bugs eventually became so bad I got disgusted. When I started planting them later in the year ("Timed Planting" is the coined term) I had less bug problems AND usually by then the other folks' cucumber plants were suffering, so I still made my sales. (Sure ate a lot of cucumber sammiches that year! Yumm!)

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flowox Newark, OH(Zone 5a) Jun 27, 2003

Oh I love cucumber sandwiches!!

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eyesoftexas Toadsuck, TX(Zone 7a) Jun 27, 2003

Yep, NoH20.......I usually plant a second round of Zinnias in mid July to extend the bloom time. Marigolds do well in sucession planting too!!

"eyes"

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lupinelover Grove City, OH(Zone 6a) Jun 29, 2003

Last year I had to solarize part of my veggie garden, so didn't plant my string beans until mid-June. I have never had such quick germination, or such a crop!

I did it again this year: I just planted my beans on Tuesday. They sprouted yesterday (Friday), and I hope they start to bear in a few weeks.

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Horseshoe Efland, NC(Zone 7a) Jun 29, 2003

I hear ya, lupy! I keep planting them about every couple weeks (when I am not too lazy). As I sit here now, I'm eating some of my first planting (purple pod bush beans) with some chicken slicks. As I eat I am wondering where I should plant my next row of beans!

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