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January 09, 2007

Changing Seasons Environment

Commenting on this post regarding hundreds of European plant species blooming in mid-winter, longtime reader ivieee writes from Austin, Texas:

Here in Austin, Redbuds had a fall bloom, which I had never seen. But really, ask the gardeners. I found an old planting guide for Travis County, rev. 1990. Compare it to our updated guide:

Beets
1990 - Feb 15-June 1
2000 - Jan 10-Feb 28

Broccoli transplants
1990 - Feb 15-Mar 15
2000 - Jan 15-Feb 28

Chard
1990 - Feb 15-May 15
2000 - Jan 10-Feb 10

Leaf Lettuce
1990 - Jan 15-Apr 1
2000 - Jan 1-Apr 1

Spinach
1990 - Jan 15-Mar 1
2000 - Oct 1-Mar 31

So most of the early spring planting has to be done about two weeks to a month earlier now than it did ten years ago, and you must finish planting about a month earlier, before the heat sets in.

Summer plantings, like okra and sweet potatoes stay about the same.

Then, for the fall plantings, we are starting two weeks to a month LATER, because the summer heat lasts longer.

That is the extension service recommendations, but the gardeners themselves are being much more experimental with earlier planting. I would have to say that we are now Zone 9 where we were Zone 8. I am ordering seeds for Zone 10, because it just might work given the new climate.

That much change in a decade is simply stunning.

Meanwhile, here in Madison — I know I've said this before — you used to be able to park your car on the lakes this time of year. Today, they're open water.

Posted by Jonathan at January 9, 2007 09:28 AM  del.icio.us digg NewsVine Reddit YahooMyWeb

Comments

:you used to be able to park your car on the lakes :this time of year. Today, they're open water.

You do not have the proper point of view. You can STILL park your car on the lake. It just won't stay on top of the lake a long time.

Posted by: at January 9, 2007 12:47 PM

The Yahara had a little ice on it this morning when I crossed at Jenifer St. Maybe 50 percent covered with really thin ice. Thing is, it's usually completely covered (on average) by December 15.

Been a wierd year.

Posted by: Michael at January 9, 2007 01:29 PM

I drove to Chicago last weekend and saw two construction sites that each had new buildings both having framed roofs, the rafters, with no sheathing yet. This type of construction wouldn't have been considered 10 years ago in January.

Posted by: Jeff at January 9, 2007 03:12 PM