Wisconsin springs are hard on gardeners and farmers. May 15 the overnight low in Jackson County dipped to 19 degrees. We registered 28 degrees at 6 a.m. but that reading was from a thermometer on our porch, so it was probably in the mid-20s on the ground.
We covered as many flowers as we could, but the bleeding heart and hostas got hit pretty hard. The lilacs are nearly in full bloom but it looks like they may have made it with just a touch of damage. The tender vegetable plants are still in our greenhouse, but any blooming strawberry plants will need to start over.
We have not checked our grapes yet — thankfully we rely on other supplies for our winery — but the big question will be our apple trees. Many were in full bloom or with blossoms starting to set. Only time will tell if we will have much of apple crop this year.
No corn is out of the ground yet in the fields and the alfalfa can take a few frosts, but let’s hope we’re done with Jack Frost until much later this fall.
Our apples trees in full bloom took a major frost on May 15. Time will tell if we will have an apple crop this fall.