Every year about this time I write a similar post. I tell about our longer days and how it influences plant growth. I've been reading posts for about three months telling about blooms and seeing all kinds of plants that are flowering.
So now it's my turn to tell about growth and development of plants here.
First, daylight yesterday was 14 hours and 58 minutes. The sun rose at 6:01 and set at 9:03. When we get the longer hours of sunlight plants grow and develop very rapidly. The leaves on native plants are ready to come out. That's just in time for songbirds to nest. The leaves provide protection and food.
Today I planted corn but in pots in case it freezes. I have transplanted tomatoes into bigger pots. I won't put the tomatoes in the garden until June 8. The bluebells have bloomed and are now shutting down as they go dormant about Aug.1. Some of my friends have planted lettuce and radish as they are regarded as cold crops.
As a young person we could play baseball until 10:00 PM. As an Arctic person we could be active 24 hours a day and a lot of us tried it.
So I will enjoy the short, vigorous growing season we have.
It always amazes me how quickly things grow in the north once the growing season actually begins. I guess compensation for the shorter season. I also remember playing outside until midnight as it was like dusk outside. In those days midnight was quite late for a child. It's quite late for some adults too but I'm a night owl. I've never experienced the 24 hours light cycle.
ReplyDeleteAnnual plants have such a short life and have to germinate and grow so quickly. They always astonish me. The longer hours of daylight are very welcome.
ReplyDeleteNature is bursting forth. You are right that it happens quickly. I guess it has to in our climate zones.
ReplyDeleteI would enjoy seeing progress photos of what you are growing! Every once in a blue moon I buy a tomato plant and I do enjoy the tomatoes from it. I am not around here enough during gardening season to take proper care of anything.
ReplyDeleteShort season with big results usually. May this year be the same!
ReplyDeleteNot being able to put the corn in the garden until early June sounds weird to me. We begin to harvest ours not much later than that!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you know what you are doing, Red. I guess you should after all your years of living up there.
ReplyDeleteI had 2 lovely hikes this week to enjoy fields of bluebells in my city.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteWe could still have a frost here, I will wait till late May to plant.
Take care, have a great weekend.
Long days sound like fun. If I'm awake more than 26 hours I start getting a bit nauseous. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteRed,
ReplyDeleteOh, the sun’s a show-off this time of year,
Staying up late with a solsticey cheer!
Fourteen hours and fifty-eight—
Plants say, “Thanks, that’s really great!”
You’ve got tomatoes still in pots (wise call),
While bluebells decide they’ve done it all.
Corn’s in containers, playing it cool,
Hoping Jack Frost’s not breaking the rule.
And I must say, your Arctic light tale—
Baseball at 10? That’s off the scale!
While some chase shade or sip iced tea,
You're chasing daylight, wild and free! 🌞
John
6:03 to 8:34 here so we are behind you. I have tomato seedling started , will transplant them next week but they are not going in the sheep tank until after Memorial day. I have planted a bunch for my brother as he was at his home in Oregon for the Winter, he plants quite the garden here!
ReplyDeleteWhy is June 8 your "magic date" for putting out the corn and tomatoes? Is that when you're finally guaranteed not to have frost?
ReplyDeleteHere in sun-drenched Arizona the days only seem to get marginally longer in the summertime but it is welcome.
ReplyDeleteTwo days ago the leaves popped out on some shrubs here. I've been waiting for it! Nothing else says spring to me as those first little green leaves. Good luck with your garden!
ReplyDeleteThere was a show called 'Northern Exposure' that I loved. There was an episode of Dr Fleischman being unable to 'stop' because it was light 24 hours. It was a hoot.
ReplyDeleteMy tomatoes and peppers are transplanted into bigger pots and in my greenhouse. I have cucumbers planted now.
That is a very interesting timeline Red. I enjoyed learning this. Thank you :)
ReplyDeletePlants are popping up here like crazy right now. I don't know what people are planting in their gardens but we'll know later in the month.
ReplyDeleteOur days are getting longer too here in Hawaii. The temperature is also a lot warmer and humid here than it was in Japan. I'm still jet lagged from Japan (got back last week) and now having to go off to Chicago. We're in the middle of both areas.
ReplyDeleteEventhough I find warm weather favourable at this part of age ,I still find cold area so fascinating and worth exploring some times in life. When earth reappears removing heavy cover of snow it looks really fresh and beautiful ready to burst with life she had been carrying within since long
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