I remember 2006 being a year long winter. A cold, wet winter in the UK and a cold wet autumn, winter, spring and summer in New Zealand. It wasn’t until weeks into 2007 that I realised that sunshine existed. I’m starting to get that feeling of déjà vu.
On one hand the moist air flows we’ve been experiencing in the last couple of weeks are a pain but they are doing wonders for the kitchen garden. I could happily do without the cold temperatures though. It’s a heinous crime to have the heating on in the height of summer but with single digit temperatures this week my fingers and toes were starting to seize up.
Temperatures in the kitchen garden were 28 degrees the other day though, a little warm for too much effort as MT and the bassets are ably demonstrating. The bassets are banished from where the real growing action is as they have yet to learn that digging in the raised beds is not a permitted activity. Too many of my seedlings are growing now to risk basset antics.
There is nothing that Mason likes more than to dig at the potato trenches. Since this is the first time I’ve grown potatoes I’m taking no risks. After all we’ve gone from trenches to lots of potato growth.
Whilst the spuds may be sprouting we’re likely to draw a complete blank on tomatoes this year. There simply isn’t enough sunshine. Unless of course summer does decide to put in an appearance soon. The prospects aren’t good and even die hard Wellingtonians are starting to complain. The rotten weather is also making headline news. It’s hopeless for photographic projects too.
Things have become so miserable I’m having to resort to a couple of days work this coming week. I feel sure that this will prompt an immediate change in the weather and the sun will shine again. Wishful thinking eh!
Sure is a dire summer. I feel very fortunate to be able to make the most of the sun when it does shine and feel for poor hubbie and other Monday to Friday office workers when the weekends throw down a deluge of rain and wind. I’m thankful my folks didn’t fly into New Zealand in yesterday’s wild southerly. They fly in tomorrow morning and thankfully the sun looks set to make a return (even if it is short-lived!).
Glad to see all is well on the garden front 🙂