Summer’s Coming

Today Farmer MacGregor applied dormant spray to the deciduous fruit trees, grape vine, and roses along with some light pruning.  The spray schedule is a bit behind for 2011 due to the fabulous amount of rain we’ve received in the garden. The second spray will probably happen on Super Bowl weekend if the bud haven’t broken.  The goal is to get 3 applications during the winter.  Last winter only 2 applications could be made before the buds broke.  In 2010, the first bud to break was the Santa Rosa Plum on February 14.  Looks like only 2 applications will happen this year as well.  It’s a valiant effort to keep the trees, vines, and bushes as healthy. Everything sprayed gets a cooper lamé sheen.  If you’re going to be applying dormant oil with copper, make sure to cover anything that you don’t want sprayed.  Painted fences, lawn furniture, etc. will soon take on a copper patina if it gets hit.

 

Here’s something for those longing for summer time.  Just six months ago +100°F days were common place in the garden.  The days were much longer.  Any garden work started around 7pm for a short period of time.  This is what the garden looked like six months ago.I’m not longing for summer time; but I’ve started planning the summer 2011 garden.  Less tomatoes and more beans.  Corn will be introduced for the 1st time with my fingers crossed.  Sweet potatoes too.  Like it or not, summer will be here soon.  Now’s the time to prepare by dormant spraying and seed planning.