Backyard Agrarian

It has been such an easy early gardening season in Coal Creek Canyon that I let my guard down.  No June frosts, very tiny hail storms only.  Plenty of rain.  ... Until last nights MASSIVE hail storm.  

My poor tomato plants were shredded, especially the two smaller ones.  Leaves just stripped off the stems.  My lettuce, which had really started growing after the last few days of heat and sun, are smashed.  

Peas are a little under the weather but i think they will pop back just fine.  

The hail and wind was blowing in from the north west and so hit most of my garden head on.  The perennial herb and flower gardens on the south side of the house were mostly spared though, protected by the house from the wind and hail.  

oh boy!  Here's a reminder to never let your guard down up here.  Close your cold frames.  Put your hoops on at nights. stake milk crates or other pots over your plants.   Whatever it is you do to protect your garden, well, do it.  

Red Chioggia Beets. Sowed outdoors, May 15, 2009. Still small sprouts. 

Kale sowed outdoors on May 8, 2009. Finally starting to take off!

Garlic is still much smaller than down in Boulder.  This garlic was planted last fall and sprouted in very early spring this year well before the last frost.  Early season was dry so I gave it plenty of water.  It is mulched and the last month has been very wet so I haven't supplemented watering.  

Rhubarb came up again this year.  It is about 1/3 the size of rhubarb growing down in Boulder but it's looking healthy.  This is the 2nd full season for this rhubarb patch.  It sent up a flower this year which I cut off to encourage growth in the edible parts.  

Don't forget, rhubarb leaves are poisonous and should never be eaten.  I have heard they can be concocted into a natural pesticide, but i have not tried this yet.

We planted two  very small Manchurian apricot trees about a month 6 weeks and 4 weeks ago.  They are supposed to be suited for high altitude climates and are leafing out and looking really healthy.  Soil was amended with compost before planting and we kept them well watered for the first several weeks.  We have had a lot rain lately and so haven't supplemented with additional water.