Fruits

Purchased three bushes of raspberries and will plant those this weekend.  Almost forgot, we had a real rain yesterday ~4 mm in total, that is better than nothing.  Unfortunately it was only in southern portion of the province and no relief yet for fiery north.
My adventure with raspberries started sometime ago.  We planted some about 11 years ago at old property and in the next few years we had a jungle (despite cutting back every year).  My wife was in "heave" as she loves raspberries, so was my dog (she loves any berries and know how to pick them straight from the bush LOL).
Once we moved, I had to recreate the "jungle" and after planting bushes in early spring, I subjected them to late frost and slow growth.  It was dry and well, lets say "jungle" did not materialize, despite my assurance to my wife that it will (I eat my ...).  So this year I need to prop my authority on gardening, by planting more and making sure we have "a jungle" by mid-summer.  I guess, I will have to do more research to ensure success and not relay on pure luck.  Well, wish me luck and total "green thumb" this weekend.
Update, as I was stating, my lettuce is going to be served at mother's day dinner.  rain has helped, though, this morning surprising message from my weather station, display indicated -1 deg C.  Have not assessed status of plants in the tunnels yet, but suspect -1 should not have nay impact on it.  Nice surprised, potatoes that I have planted 2.5 weeks ago, they are broke through and leave are showing up.  That was nice surprise, especially in comparison with last year attempt (will post picture later).

Shower...

Looks like we may have gotten a rain shower this morning,will confirm later on if my weather station recorded any.   I spend evening yesterday trying to rescue lawn patches that were really dry.  Weather has cooled in the southern part of the province  and bit of moisture has materialized.  Unfortunately, North is still total inferno as of now the fire is about 85000 hectares(!!!) and still raging, moving south.  The opinion is that this fire cannot be put out using firefighting equipment alone, and only nature intervention i.e. cool and possibly rainy weather can only help.  That is not in forecast until the weekend.  I am hoping that forecast will change and relief will arrive sooner.

In the event of the crisis and people misery it is hard to talk about my adventures in the garden.  My thought are with affected people and focus i on how I can my myself useful (besides financial help).  So proud to see sign of support and altruism from people in this province and country, proud to be Canadian and Albertan. Let's keep the good work.

FortMac Fire

For those who don't know the short version of the name , it is Fort McMurray and it is burning.  It is pretty good size city and now it has been overtaken by wildfires.  As I mentioned in previous posts, we are suffering from drought condition in Alberta and winds seems to be blowing pretty hard around.  No one would expect this to be as big as it became so quickly.  Entire city is under mandatory evacuation order (60000) and many home were lost with all content.  This city has been hit hard, no, people in that city have been hit hard.  What a devastation and despair.  My wife was crying this morning listening to the story on the radio.  We all feel so helpless, well perhaps we could help in a material way the affected people.  Luckily, so far no reports of any serious injuries.  Material thing can be replaced, sure lots of those affected lost more than material thing.  This is one of the biggest disaster in a history of Alberta and  pretty big in Canadian scale. I have seen report of some great examples of humanity and compassion.  The least I can do here  is provide some support by donating to  Red Cross.  All these people , especially the one that lost everything will need financial support and need to know that we are behind them with full moral support.  Good luck and stay safe.

Hot ....

It is hot out there, early May feels like middle of the summer.  My weather station recorded 27 deg C yesterday (official Env. Canad show 25.9 but the reporting station is quiet far from my place).  Had to turn sprinkler in the garden (garden beds have sprinkler) to keep moisture level up to sustain germination and growth.  Forecast today calls for 27 Deg C, so it will be more likely around 29-30.  Have to water yard in some spots as grass i dying.  I usually have "cognac" approach.  I have learned that it is criminal to water grape vines used to grow grapes for cognac production, and because of that, they grow deep roots (30-40 feet).  SO same should apply to grass as well, and it should make it grow deeper roots in search of water.  But this year I see grass so dry that I think I must water it hoping it will grow back.  So tonight I will asses and will water  where is absolutely needed.

On the different topic, northern light, I got alert last night that they were active around 11:00 PM.  I was already in bed so did not go our, but had session earlier this year (Winter) and it was spectacular display.  There seems to be some activity happening now and with clear sky, perhaps opportunity to observe this spectacular display.

Busy Weekend

With the weather this weekend I think everyone was working yard or garden, I did too.Sun was beaming and got a bit of sun burn and "farmers tan".  So reminder, use sun screen while working in the yard and garden as it is easy to get too much of exposure.  We have seeded almost everything in the garden and transplanted 95% of the thing that we supposed to transplant (primarily into tunnels).  Had a taste of fresh garden lettuce (butter) from the garden, can't even express how tasty it was.  This was just sampling, it is going to be ready for consumption by the weekend.  It is so dry that I had to start watering yard in some spot as it was totally dry-desert like.  I am afraid that grass might die before we get any moisture in form of the rain.  Another thing I did this weekend, I attacked dandelions (love this plant but I want  to please my neighbors)  by spraying them with vinegar.  This works pretty good and does not affect adversely environment.  I do not use any chemicals for lawn treatment but use combination of mechanical extraction (hand weed removal) and or vinegar.  I know that my neighbors my think I am crazy by extracting dandelions mechanically one by one, such a tedious process but I live outside and so are my dogs and I rather not use chemicals and I am trying to convince them to use of the same approach.  We see if we will succeed.  

Now, all I will be doing is praying for rain.  It is so dry and I do not have ability to water my entire yard, so the only hope that forecast of 30-60% of rain by Friday, will materialize.

Wekkend in the garden

Today I was able to confirm that temp difference between outside and inside of the tunnel is about +6-7 deg. which is great.  I feel almost safe to move some of the starters and transplant into tunnel. 
Well, it is done, I transplanted tomatoes into new home this morning and seeded more lettuce.  Noticed that seed that we have put into ground last weekend started to germinate (that is outside garden).  My lettuce in old tunnel is growing like crazy another week and we will start to consume it.

 This is bit foggy due to humidity inside when I took picture.

Morning Update

Crispy morning today (-1 C) and my new tunnel in the morning sun.  Unfortunately, I was not able to check temperature as the temp gauge display faded (technical diff.), last night the difference between old low tunnel and new high double walled tunnel was ~4 deg.  Difference between outside ambient and new tunnel was +7 Deg C, so pretty significant.  I have to fix or get new temperature gauge, the one I am using now logs low and high temperatures, but due to high humidity exposure screen (LCD) stop working.  This weekend will be filling inside with transplant and seeds.