There have been numerous comments about the weather we’ve been having in western Nevada this year. Well, dear friend, here’s another comment. Patty and I have our little hobby farm, nee ranchette, in Cold Springs, about 20 miles north of Reno and very close to the 5,000 foot level, above the sea. In the spring, our temperatures were on the cold side, not cool, and we weren’t able to plant corn and tomatoes until the second week of June. While the corn has tasseled and tomatoes have made, it’s doubtful we’ll get much of a harvest.
Many of our mornings have been in the low to mid 40s --- not considered a growing day if the mornings are below 50 --- while the daytimes have been in the mid 80s. These are very pleasant temperatures, but not if you’re looking to fill the freezer with corn and corn soup, or tomato sauce and stewed tomatoes.
This is far different than previous years, and there have been reports that the climate along the western most states has been altered because of colder waters coming ashore along that long coast. It’s interesting that these reports are seldom published in the major newspapers.
Oh, silly me. If it doesn’t happen along the limited coast near New York City, of course it isn’t reported.
Getting back to the subject at hand. We spent four days in the high Sierra Nevada last week, and because of the very heavy winter and snow pack --- above 7,000 feet, it is just now coming spring --- wild flowers --- many have budded but not opened --- are in profusion, grasses are high and green, and the deer we saw were actually fat. We jumped a covey of quail that looked more like grouse because of their size, and chipmunks weren’t the least bit interested in whatever crumbs were left on the table.
It’s been a very comfortable year for people and animals, just not so good for corn and tomatoes.
As always, read good books and stay regular.
