Summer Came and then Winter Returned to Inuvik

We had a great week and a half of summer weather in Inuvik and then winter has returned for the last few days. I have to remember that this is what seems to happen each year in Inuvik, it starts to feel like summer and then there are always a few extra days of winter weather still to come. I have been monitoring the greenhouse temperature and even on these colder spring days (with snow flying outside) the greenhouse does not appear to be dipping below zero nor into the freezing temperatures.

 

Despite the cooler temperatures, I now have all my seeds planted (carrots, onions, lettuce, cilantro, dill, beets, chard, spinach) and have moved my seedlings to the greenhouse but have not planted them into the soil yet. The seedlings are still just sitting in their trays with plastic coverings. These plants are; kale, fennel, squash and tomatoes. I was going to wait another to bring in my starters/seedlings from home but everyone else was bringing them to the greenhouse and I wanted them out of my house too! I double checked with my gardening friend and we both agreed that these should not be transplanted quite yet and to wait for the warmer weather to return.

This week is the greenhouse herb sale and those starter plants will go right into the ground as soon as I buy them; thyme, sage, rosemary and mint.

 

The only issue so far is that all my seeds have started sprouting except for my carrot seeds. I think I remember this happening last year too and it meant that I had to sow a second crop of seeds on top of the original ones that didn't sprout. I am not sure if this is the seeds (I think I used new seeds this year) or if I need to wait a bit before I plant my carrot seeds more if those darn carrot seeds just need a bit more time and patience.

The soil should prove successful to growing as I added; ashes from the wood stove, bone meal, vermiculite, and a few other odds and ends. No compost was available at the greenhouse this year so that will need to wait until mid-late season.

Bundle up everyone for a couple more days.

S.

Note: The photos are from years previous and might not match exact time of season.