Things are growing that I've never seen grow in September this year in the Pacific Northwest.
Our small patch of grass never went into its natural yellow, due to several mid-summer rainstorms. Flowers have started reblooming on perennials and shrubs that are not known for it, from our Oriental poppy to our Ray Hartman ceanothus. And at one point in August, it was brisk enough that I wore a hoodie. Yes, in August.
Growing fruits and vegetables has been deeply affected by this latest round in our climate crisis, for both farmers and backyard gardeners. Adaptations will be made...we have no choice. This winter, the Pacific Northwest is forecast to go through another 'unseasonably cold' winter. With us getting into unheard-of single digits this past winter and my garden strategy focusing on Zone 7 plants, NOT Zone 8 as the books have long claimed for our region, I'm taking a careful approach to plant protection...while also keeping an eye out for random days in the 70s in January. Sigh.
But folks, when it comes to the climate crisis, we DO still have our vote, and a vote up ad down the ballot for Democrats will VASTLY increase our chances of mitigating what we can, while saving lives and protecting our natural resources.
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