As one of the people who ‘dig in the dirt’ and dwell in the central Virginia Interstate 95 corridor, the year of 2011 hopefully will be a once in a life time experience.
After the experience of a seasonal warm mid March which enabled the installation of ‘cool season’ veggies, cold misty gray days slow the progress of ‘cool season’ plant growth. Nevertheless, the beige of winter disappeared and I was spoiled by the normality of our central Virginia weather. In the past, my Dad used St Patrick's Day as his guideline for installing a 'cool season' garden; and, due to more normal weather patterns, for 2011 it appear we were into prior guidelines.
I ordered and installed dwarf fruit trees, blue/black/rasp berry shrubs and a row of strawberries. Because of prior year climate flux, I implemented a 'test for 2011': gardening in containers, above ground boxes and traditional in-ground agri strategies. A new 'test' Greenland Gardener Raised Garden was installed. Roses supplied by David Austin - Jubilee Celebration, Gentle Hermione, Lichfield Angel, Benjamin Britten, Windermere and The Dark Lady- proposer and appear headed into another bountiful year of healthy bloom. Bulbs supplied by Brent & Becky Bulbs poke through the ground with the promise of another year's bloom. Southern Living Plant line - Oakland Holly Ilex hybrid 'Magland' PP#14417, Robin Holly Ilex hybrid Conin PP#9486, Spring Sonata Indian Hawthorne Raphiolepis indica 'Wilcor' - prosper in spite of severe cold and drought. And, regardless of cool or warm season, Renee Seeds veggie, flower or herb seeds encounter almost 100% seed germination as well as a bountiful harvest results.
Then, in late August, the landscape experienced drought. Next, the earth shook with such vengeance many of those who lived near the core of this earthquake were left homeless; and rain generated by the force of tropical storms occurred. At first, we gardeners were pleased to see the landscape recover its green but as the winds and down-pour of rain increased, each of us sought shelter from the rage of these storms. As a result, the area experienced record breaking rainfall and an escalating average yearly temperature.
Still, regardless of the outcome of 2011, I remain optimistic. As gardeners, during the year of 2012, we not only have opportunities to make a difference through personal choices but can influence others to create an eco-legacy of healthy green space, both rural and urban. Additional eco tips and strategies are available at web site TheWrightScoop.
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