To Garden Or NOT To Garden In North Dakota This Year?

Many of us North Dakotans have asked ourselves this question at least once, if not more as of late... To Garden or NOT to Garden this summer? Since spring sprung, with temps staying below average it seems, for the most part, many have wondered when were the warmer temperatures going to arrive... If ever...AND THEN BAM! We are HOT now!

The Tease Of Summer

After a day here or there, many of us rushed to buy plants, daring to test Mother Nature and get those first pepper and tomato plants in the ground only to find out we were being teased... Watching our hard-earned money be wilted before our eyes, some folks even attempted to save their seedlings by tossing blankets over to avoid frost... Who knew frost could be in June!!... But then Heck - We do live in the Dakotas!

Green Thumbs

Now thanks to this wetter late spring, that we North Dakotans as an agriculture-driven state can appreciate too after crippling droughts the last couple of years, are facing another adversity now - a later planting season. To clarify, we are not talking about the farmers and ranchers, but focusing on us... The Gardners. Those that like to try our hand year after year at testing our "Green Thumbs". Taking pride in raising fresh vegetables, to creating our own backyard oasis of paradise with flowers and such.

Costs and Availability

Another factor for some in deciding "To Garden or NOT To Garden" may be the cost increases across the board of the plants, the watering, the fertilizer, etc... Down to that plant quality has been affected by the late gardening season too!

To Garden!

Now we will say this, Dakotans are a strong breed and not ones that give up early! We've seen snow in June and blizzards in October, so are the first to say that we are throwing in our hats, and jumping in with both feet as always to garden - Hell or High Water! For us gardening is therapy, it is our time to enjoy nature, peace, and solitude. For those wanting to follow suit - Great News! Those still wanting to plant a thing or two, sales are all around as the heat zaps what's left of inventory... So get after it, plant it or forget about it this year!

Farmers Market

Those that are passing this season, we know you will be the first in line at the Farmers Market as once hooked on home-grown, it sure is hard to beat!