Wildfire smoke above, frost cloth protecting tender plants below.
This June has been a real rollercoaster ride out here at the Arboretum. For the first time, I was able to plant the vegetable garden under cloudy skies with light rains falling upon my head. Given our vegetable garden’s extreme exposure to the elements, that was an absolute delight! When the sun is blazing in June, it can be a really difficult garden to work long hours in. I have a theory that the older you get, the less tolerant of hot and cold you become; and let me tell you, reader, I am there.
Speaking of hot and cold, once those delightful rain clouds drifted away things got rowdy. I could practically feel it in my bones while gazing at the clear blue sky. I knew a late June freeze was upon us. Ironically enough, it was the night(s) before, during and after the Summer Solstice. Usually that is when the gardener can celebrate their labor and the long days that make the plants so very happy. For me, I was out there covering every tender plant I put in the ground under those sweet June rains. I am happy to report: all the plants made it! (Shout out to frost cloth and Steady Harvest’s MiniTunnels!) How cold did it get? 29 degrees on June 21st.
Planting the vegetable garden under cloudy skies in June, a rare delight
Photographic evidence of our late June freeze
From rain jackets to frost cloth to an N95…this June had it all!
Simultaneous to this freaky freeze, the Pocket Fire broke out. The cold nightly temperatures are ideal for firefighting, so ultimately, I am grateful for the freeze! Never thought I’d say that.
This fire has kept us on our toes out here. We are so grateful to the firefighter’s working day and night to keep everyone safe. As I stare out my window writing this article, smoke is permeating our usually fresh mountain meadow air, and I am reminded of how everything can change in an instant. That ‘Super El Nino’ they are predicting cannot come soon enough!
As we move into July, the chances of rain are increasing. This is normal for Flagstaff and is the very reason why we host our plant sale the second week of July every year! It is the best time to get those native perennials in the ground. The atmosphere does all the work for you: the clouds are your shade and frost cloth; the rains are your irrigation.
This year we have a multitude of vendors participating so the selection should be fantastic. The sale will be July 11th, open to Arb members 9-11 am and general public 11 am – 2 pm. Hope to see you there!
Gina Goegan is the Greenhouse Manager at The Arboretum
