Farming

Boy, from the frying pan into the fire these first few weeks of May.
The vegetable garden will be responding -- for better and for worse -- to in the upper 80’s so early in the season.  
One thing we can do to alleviate a little heat stress is to employ some shade devices for our spring crops and seedlings.
The vegetable garden can start doing some funny things during a heat wave. When temperatures start to raise into the upper 80s and 90s many vegetables drop flowers before pollination and fruit set; and stop blooming all together.  

The Harrison County Phase I Committee held the educational meeting on Monday, April 30 at the Harrison County Extension Office. At the meeting 161 local farmers received applications for the 2012 Phase I projects.  
During the meeting the group received information concerning programs this year and deadlines for signing up. All applications are due to the Extension Office by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, May 14.  Following the application period, the local board will score the applications and notify the first group who are approved.

A couple of weeks ago, in mid-April, one of the prettiest flowers in the garden started to bloom. This great cut-leaf Japanese peony, Paeonia tenuifolia, opened its simple ruby-colored petals to reveal bright yellow stamen.  
The finely cut foliage, reminiscent of the most finely cut foliage of a Japanese maple, allows the plant to be interesting in the mixed border the rest of the growing season, too.