Wind Damage & Tears!

Late winter/early Spring storm brought 50-60 MPH winds to Reno/Sparks yesterday. It's snowing right now from the same system.

I thought I had secured all my plants, etc. Then suddenly my "mini-greenhouse" blew over with all the plant materials with it, hit my birbath, knocked it over as well. I rushed out to save what I could. When I returned to the house I just burst into tears. I told my husband I was an idiot to think anything would grow in this God forsaken place of northern Nevada, and that I hated it here!

Whoa, I didn't even know I felt that way. I just sobbed over those stupid plants and my cheap mini-greenhouse. Has anyone else been reduced to tears over what should be considered a routine visit by Mother Nature humbling our attempts to jump start the season?

Life goes on. At least my gardenias I have at work are still blooming while snow rages outside, giving me hope!

Upset in Northern Nevada!
Rebecca Jones

Has anyone else been reduced to tears over what should be considered a routine visit by Mother Nature humbling our attempts to jump start the season?

Oh, yes Rebecca, I certainly have! I have put stuff out too early to harden off and lost them to cold; I've put stuff out on time and forgotten about them and lost them to drying winds. (Lots of other stuff, too. I don't want to bore you!) And I felt so stupid that I cried and felt even more stupid for crying!

Now, dry your eyes and I'll give you a tip on those plastic mini-greenhouses (discovered the hard way ; ) ). The little pegs that come with them will not hold them down in any significant wind. We had to tie ours down with nylon rope held with wooden pegs. Plastic tent pegs would probably do the trick, but we couldn't find any when we needed them, so we made the wooden pegs (18" long cedar "sticks" with a notch in one end for the rope to hook on to.) Wrap the rope over the top of the greenhouse in at least three places, and make sure the stakes are pounded in as far as you can get 'em.

I'm not good at giving directions! If you need me to clarify what I'm talking about, just ask and I'll do my best!

Good luck!

Rhonda



This message was edited Mar 28, 2005 12:37 PM

Rebecca - I'm so sorry - I can relate, only my damage comes mid-season while everything is up, growing and pretty looking. Then WHAM, huge hail storm. And yup, I cry.

The good news, though, is that everything except Hosta (which get shredded to death) come back eventually.

If the roots still look good, give them time. I use BIG rocks behind sensitive stuff - that helps a little. But, in a really big storm, there's just not a lot you can do KWIM?

I just try to look on the bright side, last big one to hit us took the siding on the house, most of my lawn furniture, and all my potted stuff (broke holes in every pot - even the plastic ones) - BUT we didn't get any broken windows like a lot of people did, and all my trees made it OK, so I just count my blessings and sweep up a bit and keep on plugging away. My arbor was blowing over constantly until I sunk it in the ground enough - its like 2 ft shorter now and also has those lovely green T-posts around it for extra support but so far so good.

On the "too early" side, I'm so paranoid about it I just bury everything in mulch, usually it works.
Now, I'm guessing that storm system may be heading my way, so I'll batten down the hatches!

Good Luck!!!!!Don't get too down! -Christie

Oh boy the looks of I cant believe she is crying over a plant that I have gotten. Very few understand my heartbreak over the loss of a single plant let alone lots more. I also have to chalk up dog damage to mother nature as they run pretty much by instinct too. I think my kids have an idea since when something Ive really loved gets shredded they come and help me clean up the mess and do thier best to try and save my lost baby when all I can do is sit there and grieve. Those kids have helped me thru many a thrashing that my plants have taken and helped me try and save what I thought was lost. And ya know alot of times that plant makes it back and its more special than ever to me because my kids cared enought to try and use what Ive taught them and to care about someone elses feelings even tho they might not have any interest otherwise as to what that person is upset about.

First off, I have to say that NO place is God-forsaken. Weather - good and bad - affects everyone. Things that make us sad (as we garden) do happen, though.

We're getting ready to head into tornado season. I dread it. We didn't have any closer than 40 miles last year, but we're right in the track (Moore, OK area), so who knows what this year will hold. We did get hail a few times last year, but my plants were spared significant damage.

If you're missing anything that you were especially fond of, make a list and post it. I will do what I can (and I'm sure others will, too) to help you replace what you lost.

Smiln32 & All,

I know Nevada isn't God forsaken otherwise we wouldn't be here. That was a reflection of my grief at the moment. Everyone's sharing helped put things into perspective. Glad to know I'm not the only one who invests a large part of their heart into their gardening adventures.

Emaewest - Great tips on tying down the greenhouse. I'll have to order a new cover and/or repair the existing one which tore when it fell over on the bird bath!

The good news is my peony bed looks undamaged and current growth promises beautiful fragrant blossoms only a few months away.

Sader but wiser in Nevada.

Rebecca

I definately understand. I haven't gardened long, but I did cry when I left my wandering jew outside when the first frost hit. It still hasn't come back, and I'm starting to think I'm the only one in the world who's ever killed wandering jew.

Oh but the tears I've shed to. And then I beat myself up, asking myself "why do you even try you pathetic turd". Finally I realize, that I'm treading on Mother Nature's ground(and sounding rediculous as well)and need to focus on saving the babies. I go through the whole process every time; I feel your pain. Thinking on this gives me the impression that we gardeners must be massochists! Especially as I sit here with poison ivy blisters all over my hands and up my arms(as they were last year at this time). All in all, I still think it's worth every heartache.

we invest so much of ourselves in our gardens and especially seedlings that it is no wonder we end up taking it personally. it is amazing the hard knocks a plant can take and survive.

As the saying goes:
We live and learn. Or not.

exit giggling, I seem to belong to the 'or not' group, seems I remember my mistakes so I can recognize them when I do 'em again. ;-)
so sorry for your damage greenhouse. ~Blooms

This message was edited Mar 28, 2005 9:39 PM

Rebecca,
We had a $2000.00 new greenhouse tore to shreads in an April wind a few years ago. The only thing we could reuse was the furnace. It also had out greenhouse tomatoes in there, so lost that crop for that year.
That wind blew at 40+ MPH for over 2 days steady. Some gusts went to 65.
Wasn't even a storm!
Good luck to you & sorry for your loss.
Bernie

Using rebar with one end curled into a loop would be a very sturdy peg to hold down your greenhouse if you can't find the cedar sticks suggested by Rhonda. We have one of the canvas "garages" and my husband used rebar pieces to hold it in place. Ours is the only one not been tumbled over at least once by the winds. Hang in there Rebecca. You'll get it straightened out and back on track. Think of you with sympathy. Dotti

Two years ago, the last 8 or 9 days of May was gloriously in the 70's with sunshine, birds and the gardencenters having record sales as everyone caught the bug and was planting.

I got on the bandwagon as well. Okra, tomatoes, Persian Shield and Mexican sunflowers I had babied from seed. May 29th which happens to be the average date for last frost... we had a HEAVY frost. That resulted in 2 days of sitting in the garage, abusing beer and glaring at the world. A couple of the tithonia and one Persian Shield actually came back up from the roots and were the best of those I'd ever grown. I still had some tomatoes in the basement but they were the scrubs I was going to give away. They took off when I moved them out and life was good.

Watch - you'll end up having one of your best years yet!
blaine

This message was edited Mar 29, 2005 9:51 AM

Oh Rebecca .. we all feel your anxiety, frustration, and anquish. As difficult as it may seem .. 'try' to chalk it up to 'lessons learned'.

Ahh heavens to betsy gal .. I've found myself bawlin' so doggone hard; that my voice disappears into some kind of raspy alien squeek .. with my eyes instantly swellin' almost shut, with tears streaming onto my eyeglasses - and can't see diddly of anything .. to pick up to try to move to a safer place, salvage, or even try to identify! .. It's sometimes funny afterwards, but such events still play havoc on my ol naystee heart and pierces clean thru my plant pride!! ... (*anxiety levels risin' now, jes thinkin' about it!*) .. lol ..

Another tip about the longer & sturdier stakes for tying down most anything: always drive them into the ground >> at an angle!!

Along with, hopin' and prayin' .. jes a lil harder.

Hang in 'ar hun! ...

- Magpye

This message was edited Mar 29, 2005 10:51 AM

Thanks to All Who Have Replied --

The sun is shining again in Northern Nevada - weather guessers promising temps in the 60's for the weekend. So, I'll be out there with my stakes in hand, attempts to repair the damaged cover, and will start over.

My gardenening adventures speak to me over and over in analogous lessons for life. Regardless of your perspective on the Garden of Eden Biblical account, the bottom line message for me is there was a time when the garden required no work. It only required leaving the fruit from that one tree alone. But oh no, Eve had a better idea and the rest is history! We have been mucking around with the garden ever since.

When I'm ready to throw in the towel (like I was only days ago), I remember that God has never given up on me. I am the garden He is attempting to prune into something fruitful and lasting. When the storms of life beat me down and I make lousy choices, He doesn't toss me aside. He scoops me back up and puts me back together again. My prayer is that with His help, my internal garden and the external one in my yard can reflect the beauty He had in mind when He created both of them.

Blessings to all.

Rebecca

Ahhh Rebecca .. well-put .. mitey well-put!

And many more wonderful blessings right backatcha !!

- Magpye

Great perspective, Rebecca. Oftentimes we get so caught up in our losses we may miss the bigger picture. I am so often amazed how losses bring out the very best in people; it must be a great feeling to know that so many want to reach out and help you - I know I do.

Perhaps something like Guara that is tough and will just laugh at the wind? It is also drought tolerant once established. I have some volunteers in my yard from last year's plant. Let me know if you are interested. I would be happy to send them on.

Best,
~Angela

Rebecca,

What a beautiful statement. You summed up our divine Creator in a most awesome way. I am humbled by reading your post. I often look at my own troubles and forget that we are brought into submission through the storms of life. May God bless you for your wonderful attitude.

~Carla