It snowed last night in Western Washington! It dumped 10" in Clearview, located about 20-25 miles northeast of Seattle. Other areas got anywhere from a trace up to those 10"....lots of areas ranged in the 5" to 8" depths.

I woke up at 4:30AM and looked out to see madly flying snowflakes. Then I remembered the flat of fuchsia cuttings sitting outside by my front door that I meant to put in the garage last night...so, wearing little more (blush) than slippers, I went out and rescued them. I'm sure it was a sight, but no one was around at that hour, so I couldn't see any point in getting dressed for a 20 second venture into the snow. The plants were up against the house wall & were somewhat protected by the overhang of the roof. It was a bit of a suprise when I bent over to pick up the flat and snowflakes blew down on my bare fanny! (Now I ask you...how many people would admit to having that experience?!)

Spring weather can be so bizarre. Last Saturday, we set a record high of 79F for that date. They tell us we may set a record low "high for the date" today, one week later! I sure hope when this Arctic front moves on (anyone want it? I'll be happy to steer it elsewhere!), we'll start getting some warm spring weather.

Patrick
Brug Moderator
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place

Please don't head the arctic front this way. We are having a beautiful day today. I've been getting the vege garden ready.
Be careful of frostbite and I hope you soon have your wonderful weather again.

Sally
Zone 5b
heat zone 4
Enfield Connecticut



http://community.webshots.com/user/sallycummings

Just wondering how many neighbours of yours remembered a flat or a plant errantly left out and were doing the same as you were Patrick at the same time?






Canada 5b
Forum editing tech

On the westcoast of Sweden we have had a rainy winter. Frost some nights but only a few.
Eastern we got snow for the first time, it stayed for 5 days. Now we have springtime.
You cant trust it though. We say you cant trust women and the weather in april.

Patrick, you're a man after my own heart. That's hilarious, & I would've done the same thing!
Don't bother sending the front south, we've already got it! I had to rescue some plants that were outside for the day yesterday as it began to hail around 2pm. Now it's snowing, & doesn't look to let up any time soon... But the kids love it, so I guess I'll tolerate it for the moment... But this is it! No more snow this year! Do you hear me?!?! I've still got more beds to put in & planting to do. No time for snow! LOL
Sounds like your climate is pretty close to the Pacific Northwest, Jorr. Gotta love the maritime weather!

John
Sweet Home, Oregon
Zone 7-8
Heat Zone 4

John, we got hit with a hail/thunder storm about the same time you did. I had about an inch of hail on my pickup when I left for work at 2:30. I live near SEA-TAC airport & departing planes were sharply veering off the normal flight line to avoid a storm cell just south of me.

I agree...it's time for winter to let go!

BTW, my Solanum 'Kangaroo Apple' seedlings have finally started to grow.

Patrick
Brug Moderator
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place

Yeah! It's like a watered-down version of "The Day After Tomorrow"... While I'm greatful for the cooler temps, as I don't have to put a fan on the sang seeds, which are still just sitting there doing nothin'... But it really is time for Old Man Winter to let go!
My Solanums are still leafing out, they're so lanky I'm glading they aren't growing up any more yet.

John
Sweet Home, Oregon
Zone 7-8
Heat Zone 4

Quote: My Solanums are still leafing out, they're so lanky...

John, that's a definite sign they would prefer more light than you're giving them. If you can't add additional fixtures, maybe keep them very close to the tubes? Even with 6 fluorescent tubes in my plant stand, I keep most seedlings within a few inches of the tubes, moving them a little farther away as they grow bigger.

I used to raise the light fixtures as needed. Now I keep them higher above the main shelf surface & place the seedlings on cardboard boxes of various sizes to raise or lower them as desired...this has worked much better for me.


Patrick
Brug Moderator
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place