A Late Start

by Catherine Dilts

I’ve gotten a late start on gardening this year. Considering the weather this spring, perhaps I’m starting right on time.

Back in March, my husband and I did some yard clean-up. I prepped my containers, refreshing the dirt and pulling out last year’s roots. I also started a few seeds indoors.

In the past, I aggressively pushed the boundaries. Knowing when the last hard freeze occurs here (Mother’s Day), I would use elaborate covers to protect plants. The growing season is short in the Rocky Mountain foothills. Too short to realistically attempt growing hot, long season plants like okra and watermelon.

Yes, I’ve tried to grow both, with minimal success. It’s difficult enough growing tomatoes and peppers. Cold climate foods like kale and broccoli do well.

I’m tired of trying to fool Mother Nature. My experience has been that all that boundary pushing did not result in a significant increase in tomatoes. Peppers are a summer crop, and they won’t abide being rushed.

This year, I’m not going to extremes to get my garden started early. I’m also trying a few new techniques.

I am starting plants in larger pots, then transferring them to even roomier pots when I estimate the roots have filled the container.

Fewer plants, with more attention to those I do grow.

Another experiment is leaving the grow lights on 24 hours a day. So far, this seems to have improved the size and health of my plants.

Part of my reason for relaxing my approach to gardening is that other activities have taken priority.

My husband retired, kinda sorta. He might continue doing occasional contract work for funsies. He’s just that kind of guy, plus his work as a medical device engineer is interesting. So when he’s actually not working, he appreciates me being available for hikes and travel. And I'm happy to be able to do things mid-week, instead of cramming everything into a hectic weekend.

Even though I’m retired now, I really have to schedule my days. I’m embarking on a co-author project that’s consuming a lot of time. My own fiction writing continues. There just doesn’t seem to be enough time in a day for writing all the stories I want to tell.

Which makes gardening an important hobby. Stopping, going outside, pushing my hands in the dirt, provides balance. It connects me to the changing seasons.

It’s finally gardening season in Colorado. Unless it snows again.