...that is the question.
Last night we ushered in spring here with our first round of thunderstorms for the year. There was some wind damage south of the Twin Cities, but mostly it was a good rain that we really needed. I guess we may see up to another inch of rain tonight. I don't think too many people will object as we've been down quite a bit in precipitation lately. Besides, there's nothing like the first few rains of the year to wash away the winter grime.
This is easily the warmest spring in my memory and the number of temperature records that have been broken in the last week just confirms that. The long range forecast shows unseasonably warm temps continuing, which has me pondering the previously unthinkable:
Should I plant some of my vegetable garden nearly two months early?
Normally around here we don't plant until early to mid-May because that's around the last average frost date. Now I'm wondering if I should get the first group of seeds in the ground and see what happens. If I'm talking green beans, peas, radishes and such, all grown from seed in the ground and not bought as plants, what's the risk? So we get a hard frost and I have to start over. All it cost me was a little time and some seeds.
Tomato and pepper plants, which I normally buy and transplant, are probably not available yet anyway. Though I suppose I could start those from seed right now too.
Hmmm. The more I think about it the more I like the idea of just going for it. This may be a once in a lifetime shot to add almost eight weeks to the growing season. It would be a shame to not take advantage of it.
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