There is hope – you still have ample time to plant your garden this year! According to my garden journal, I am at least a month or 7 weeks later than last year. It has been such a soggy spring, that I couldn’t even clean out the weeds without taking up more soil than weed. Sheesh!
I was able to sneak in my onion sets on the second of the two dry days in May along with strawberry plants, a squash, cucumber and three tomatoes purchased at the Master Gardener Plant Sale. Had to be quick about it though! However – two of the tomatoes contracted blight, the deer snagged my squash and cucumber. Fortunately, I was able to cover the strawberries and they are now blooming with pale pink berries peeking out from under the leaves.
So yes – you can still plant your garden this year. The soil will be warmer resulting in perfect germination temps for the seeds. Transplants from the garden center will take root easier and the risk of blights, fungus and rusts will be minimized. Be sure to water early in the mornings now. It seems we are in for a very hot and windy weekend.
I wanted to share this photo taken of ‘Harvest’ at the Tillamook County Master Gardeners Learning Garden yesterday. Proof positive of a good growing season! Produce from the Learning Garden is donated to the local food banks and organizations supporting the needs of citizens in community. Stop by any Thursday morning and see what is happening!
In Other News:
OMGA Mini-College ‘ Joy of Gardening’
Registration is now open for Mini-College 2022 ‘Joy of Gardening’ sponsored by the Oregon Master Gardeners Association (OMGA) on the OSU Campus in Corvallis, Oregon July 28-30, 2022. Keynote speakers are:
Dr. Samantha Hatfield Chisolm. Dr. Samantha Chisholm Hatfield is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, from the Tututni, Kalapuya, and Chinook Bands. Dr. Chisholm Hatfield is also Cherokee. She will be speaking on Friday, July 29 about Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), climate change impacts, Indigenous ecosystems, Indigenous food systems
Dr. Gail Langellotto, Oregon State University. Dr. Gail Langellotto is the Professor of Urban and Community Horticulture Extension and the Statewide Master Gardener Program Coordinator. Dr. Langellotto will be addressing ‘Successes, Challenges and Opportunities of the Oregon Master Gardener Program’ on Saturday, July 30.
The complete class and speaker schedule, plus registration information is available on the OMGA website.
In-Person Plant Clinics Open
Master Gardeners will now be staffing their Plant Clinic Tuesday mornings from 9am – noon and Thursday afternoons from 1pm – 4pm at the Tillamook Extension Office located at 4506 Third Street. You may also stop by during Extension Office hours and leave your questions and samples with the Extension Office Staff. You can always submit your gardening questions directly to us from our website page ‘Have a Gardening Question‘
Farmers Market Plant Clinics
Master Gardeners will also be at the Manzanita Farmers Market, Friday June 24, the Garibaldi Night Market on Thursday, June 30, and the Pacific City Market on Sunday, July 3. Stop by and chat with us!