It’s been a fairly typical February here in west central Texas, at least when it comes to the weather. The temperatures have been like a yo-yo , up and down, up and down. When they were up, they were sometimes way up, close to 90°. And then came thenear record lows that left our plants shivering. If you’re wondering what this weather report has to do with gardening this time of year, in one word, EVERYTHING! 

    The pantry beds where we grow produce primarily for Salvation Army and Good Samaritan, plus some of our private garden beds had been planted around the middle of January with various types of onions– 2000 or so. Then that weather yo-yo started up and continued for the next month or so. Extra straw and sheets were added to protect the onions and strawberries when very cold temperatures blew our way. Then it was removed as temperatures normalized. On, off, on, off. Some of the onions even had to bereplanted after one of our earlier cold snaps. Close to the end of February came the bone chilling cold front that dragged on for too long. When temperatures finally got back to normal, if there is such a thing, covers and straw were again removed for what we hope will be the last time and  plants checked for damage. Both strawberries and onions definitely took ahit, but as of now, it looks as if we’ll still get an onion harvest. They could be fewer and smaller, but notentirely wiped out. It’s too early to say about the strawberries, but the blossoms that were on the plants at the time were damaged. 

    So, in addition to spending our time adding and removing straw and folding and unfolding sheets, we have completed a few more garden–like tasks as well. The elbon cereal rye, a winter cover crop we plant to help build up the soil, is in the process of being terminated– a backbreaking task as we work the freshly chopped rye into the soil. It will need three to four weeks to decompose, but we hope to start planting soon afterwards. We’re trying to get a jump on the Texas heat, so planting as early as the weather will allow is vital. The tomato and pepper plants that HPU is starting for us are sprouting in a more controlled environment right now. Squash and cucumber seeds have also been planted indoors, not only to get aheadof our extreme heat, but also to help fight off our two main cucumber enemies – cucumber beetles and nematode. Those wars have not yet been totally won, but planting early is one more strategy that we will be using when fighting those battles.  

    In the orchard, time has been spent on the peach, plum, and fig trees, getting them ready for the upcoming harvests. Pruning and spraying can sometimes seem a bit overwhelming, but oh so worth the effort when you bite into that plum or peach andthat sugary sweet juice starts running down your face. As elsewhere, there are challenges here as well. One of our biggest challenges last year was with the possum(s)that wiped out our pear crop and made a pretty good size dent in the few melons we had growing. Other then trying to trap them, we’re on the lookout for waysto keep them out of our orchard, our trees, and our fruit harvests. 

    There’s other work to do as well.  There always is. The hummingbird garden and butterfly beds need to be cleaned up before planting season begins. After that, they often have to fend for themselves as we easily get preoccupied with planting, fertilizing, spraying, and hopefully harvesting an abundance of produce. The figtrees still need a little more pruning. Plans are now being made for HPU’s Impact Day and the garden beds that will be rebuilt. Leaves need to be shredded with our new leaf mulcher and will be put to good use as we mulch our garden beds throughout the year. So much to do, but so rewarding as well, being able to provide fresh produce for those in need throughout this community. Feel free to come join us in this worthwhile endeavor. There’s a place for everyone to get involved here at Brownwood Community Garden.