I just checked the NOAA forecast for Rye for tonight, and saw that they’re predicting 38 F. Because the nursery is in a little cold pocket, a tiny valley in the larger Greenhorn Valley, that means it could get a few degrees colder here. Tomatoes, Peppers, Basil….those are not plants that like cold nights, and they think that anything below 50 F. is cold.
What’s a poor high elevation gardener to do? If you wait until nighttime temps stay above 50 F., you could wait a long time to plant. I’m reminded of a quote from Lauren Springer Ogden when she was asked about the best time for planting annuals in Ft. Collins. “It’s too early, it’s too early and then it’s too late….” Thinking about that always makes me laugh because, like all the best humor, it has so much truth in it. But it’s not really quite that bad. We can plant before “all danger of frost is past,” if we’re willing to protect plants when a cold front moves in in May. So, tonight, even though it’s some work to move the tender annuals into a hoop house, I’ll protect the plants in the nursery that don’t like the high 30s or even the low 40s. They’ll be happier and I’ll sleep better. And I’m going to plant my own tomatoes in the garden as soon as I have a minute to spare.
