May 1-Blackberry Winter. That is how I've always understood the description of cold snaps in May. Other regions of the country, particually the south and midwest, know it by other names. This is why the planting guides for Piedmont North Carolina recommend setting out certain warm weather plants like eggplant and pepper around May 15. The same date for sowing watermelon seed. Cantaloupe seed can go in starting May 1. Blackberry Winter is that last gasp of chilly weather than re cools the soil.
The forecast for the next few days says highs in the low 70s, about 10 degrees below norm. Lows back into the low 50s and maybe a night under 50. It's not devestating to plants. Basically it slows them down for a time.
My eggplant and pepper starts have been sitting in the greenhouse overnight with the door and window wide open and show no damage the following morning when I check on them. They're thoroughly hardened to the chill nights to come.
Sunday was a busy day. I woke up feeling energetic. Lots of plants were set into the ground, lots of soil was dug for the melon seeds.
And then comes Monday, and I didn't have the oomph. I went to Starbucks. I dug some soil. I managed to get two plants set. Then I took a nap. The weather may have been a factor. Windy, cloudy, constant threat of rain. Then it would clear up a bit. I did set in some basil plants and made a hill for Ali's garden. I asked what kind of melons he wanted. He liked three. So I sowed two of each in a hill I prepared with horse manure.
Some of the sunflower seeds have germinated, along with cuke seeds. And so it goes in the garden. Always something up ahead.
Old Cadillacs never die. The finance company take 'em and faaaaade 'em away.
