It is a beautiful morning here. Blue sky, enjoyable warm; a good summer day. But, check this out, something is wrong here isn’t it? I mean it is July 11th, its mid summer and tonight the temperature has been forecasted to go down to 4 degrees Celsius. Yep that is very close to freezing.
One more time for the Americans, its cold, isn’t it?
Well, that is not all, there is also a severe thunderstorm watch. I am not sure how many times we have had hail this year already, not that many, but you can tell by looking at our garden, there was hail. Praying and hoping it does not get wild today. Our weather is greatly influenced by elevation (approximately 1,048 m (3,438 ft)) and proximity to the Rocky Mountains.
How do we prepare for such weather changes?
We plant mostly plants that do not mind it a bit cooler, we have a greenhouse and we pray for mercy. I might cover the few warm weather crops that are growing outside the greenhouse. I am sure corn and zucchini will appreciate it.
Is there any advantage of cooler summer?
Sure there is. Its pleasantly warm during the day and comfortable cool for sleeping at night. Its green, and we can grow salads all summer long. Most bugs do not like it that cold, so we do not have to deal with them in the garden. It never gets boring, there is a saying, if you do not like the weather, wait 15 minutes, it will change. In fact just while I am writing this, the forecast has changed, it supposed to be 2 degrees warmer tonight, oh boy I hope we will not be sweating ;).
If you just got the impression that we would not be able to grow anything here, check this out: Gardening at a friend’s farm.
Yes, we do grow and have abundance and are thanking God for it!
That’s crazy! Here in Florida it’s 77 degrees and cloudy right now…because we’ve had lots of rain today. Earlier this week it was in the 90’s!
Kristen from The Road to Domestication
I bet its warmer in Florida. You can grow in the winter what we grow in here in the summers. But eh we both can grow, right!
I really enjoy reading your blog. We’re looking into buying ground in Northern Wisconsin on Lake Superior to homestead eventually. I’d imagine it’s approximately the same weather?
Buying ground and starting to homestead is exciting, good for you! Yes, I think the weather is similar, we are just even more north, so if we can grow it, you can grow it ;).
I enjoy your site, thank you for taking the time. I am not sure exactly where you are located. I grew up and learned gardening in a 2A zone, less than 60 frost free days, 4500 ft of altitude and the shadows of the Rockies. My parents took a good harvest every year. I now live in the Okanagan and have had to learn or relearn much. My goal now is a 24ft dome to replace my 10 by 14 lean to greenhouse. I look forward to reading your updates.
All the best
Congrats on your goal on a 24ft dome. Domes are great as greenhouses. Thank you for stopping by.