Farm & Garden
By LYNNE IRONS
Here we go . . . heading into another summer season. The other day while sitting in a line of traffic, I noticed people getting cut off and thought it was early to have extra people here so soon. I realized it was the anxiety-riddled workers hustling around, trying to prepare for the arrival of their off-Island customers. It was nice to come to a place of gratitude for gainful employment regardless of the angst it produces the week of Memorial Day.
By LYNNE IRONS
My greenhouse is bursting at the seams. Thankfully, I did not jump the gun (where did that expression come from?) and plant out the many peppers, tomatoes, squashes, watermelons and cucumbers. I did plant a test row of beans, a few tomatoes and a couple of zucchini. Even the double covering of Reemay could not save them. It froze two nights last week. My son Jeremiah lost all his tender vegetable starts — blackened the first morning. Mine, however, died that slow, lingering death which alternately gave hope and despair.
By LYNNE IRONS
By LYNNE IRONS
What I wouldn’t give for a crystal ball. The weather has been just beautiful and unseasonably warm this past week. My peppers and eggplants are more than big enough to go into the ground but I am somewhat hesitant. It still seems early for crops that love warm nights. Since most of my life has operated under the Murphy’s Law principle, I see a freeze possible still in my low-lying new vegetable garden. I may take a chance and have a supply of Reemay at the ready. It will give an extra five degrees.
By LYNNE IRONS
Since the media is still talking about the Icelandic volcano eruption, I have to add another thought on the subject! In 1816 after an eruption which caused one of those summers that didn’t happen, Mary Shelley and Lord Byron were vacationing. Because there were long, wet, gloomy days forcing the couple indoors, Mary wrote Frankenstein. Wonder if a similar creative effort happened with one of the many stranded air travelers in Europe?
By LYNNE IRONS
It’s been a busy week in the garden world. The weather has been completely in our favor. So much so, in fact, I believe we are a few weeks ahead of last year. The cool evenings have helped hold the forsythia in full bloom for weeks.