We need to get something straight folks (Washington: garden, to move)

[ekg56]

Thanks for the link. Here in Wausau we only had 36 inches last year. I can remember when we 1st moved here 20 years ago, we had snow piled everywhere and it all didn't melt until late April.

[berries]

nothing like the cold front to make the bones feel old. anyone else get arthritis flare ups when the cold and the wind comes, what is sad is it was in the 30's today and in a few weeks that will feel like spring break in Key west. How many years has deer season started in the 30's and 40's and some years the 60's only to be followed by the single digits and teens. I remember most years it would be alright on opening weekend and when you went out on drives on the thanksgiving weekend....well lets say you really wanted to keep moving and not be posted if you know what i mean!!!!!!!!

Good luck transplants, the ache and pain season is here, followed shortly ( about jan 15) by the...OH MY GOD... WHY DO I LIVE HERE, WERE MOVING TO MISSOURI, WERE MOVING TO GEORGIA, WERE MOVING TO SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FOR GODS SAKE WE CANT TAKE IT ANYMORE season. That is when you know who your loved ones and your friends are....they will keep you from the abyss

[TaraMoon]

<<I agree that the winters aren't bad either. We are moving around Lake Superior. We have had our place for a few years and spend extended periods up there. I don't know anyone up there who thinks that winter last for 6 months. Most of them are working the soil to get ready to plant by the end of March. And I see lot of activity outside in January.>>

Huh? The ground is frozen solid at the end of March. Even a couple hundred miles south of you in Wisconsin people can't plant gardens until the last weekend in May. (If anyone doubts, this, check a plant hardiness zone map.) If you see lots of activity outside in January, you must be referring to people trying to get their cars started. i find it very hard to believe that you have spent time in Wisconsin during those months.

[berries]

working the soil in march..near lake superior... Wow that is a laugh. Have you ever really been up here?? You do not even have a clue. You do not work soil in WI till late april if you are lucky ...probably early may is the average. Some people just do not have a clue!!!!!! As for activity in January. That is a big laugh. Probably someone trying to get to the psychiatrist for depression help.

wow

[susancruzs]

My sister lives in the UP, my mom was from the UP and soil in March???? Near Lake Superior, in that case I should be from Missouri and say "Show Me"! I've been to my sisters the 30th of March when there is still a foot and a half of snow on the ground!

She lives in what they call the "banana belt", south of US 2, at the top of Lake Michigan and their weather is a "little" better than the Superior side but that is all relative, she doesn't dig until very late May, maybe!!!

[susancruzs]

By the way, DEA13 thanks for the link! Sometimes the snow line would literally be the state line but it has worked both ways! I did remember that last year we didn't have as much snow as usual and yet people I worked with from Wisconsin were talking about the snow they were getting.

I'm looking forward to having some snow but come Feb./March may not feel that way!

[KateDaum]

If you have read any of my past posts you would know we are in the process of moving from New Hampshire. We have had our place near Lake Superior for a number of years. We love the outdoors, we ski, snowshoe, kids play hockey, we skate etc. The winters in NH are also long and we don't sit inside waiting for spring. We spent time at our home in WI from December 20th until the 2nd week in January. So I know what to expect. My two younger children and I are now staying here in WI. My older daughter and my husband will be here the end of January. We love it and the neighbors have always taken care of our home and property while we were back in NH.
As for working the soil. I will take pictures. We were here the end of March and my neighbor was digging up his carrots. They are under mulch all winter so you can harvest them all winter. I have done that in NH too. I also get a jump on the growing season by using cold frames to protect my vegetables. In New Hampshire I would put my peas in the ground by the 2nd week of April. We are in the same growing zone as Northern WI. This fall I spread mulch and black plastic in my garden in WI. I also put a row cover in the garden. So early in the spring you pull it back and you can work the soil. That is how I get my peas in so early.
Sorry I love long cold winters and we are an outdoor family. When we have been here in winter the kids have found plenty to do with others in the area outside. And we haven't even ice fished yet!

Originally Posted by berries

working the soil in march..near lake superior... Wow that is a laugh. Have you ever really been up here?? You do not even have a clue. You do not work soil in WI till late april if you are lucky ...probably early may is the average. Some people just do not have a clue!!!!!! As for activity in January. That is a big laugh. Probably someone trying to get to the psychiatrist for depression help.

wow

[escapetacoma]

Originally Posted by KateDaum

Sorry I love long cold winters and we are an outdoor family. When we have been here in winter the kids have found plenty to do with others in the area outside. And we haven't even ice fished yet!

I can't see that you have anything to be sorry for - certainly not for enjoying the weather

I don't know about the the northern reaches of Wisconsin but my grandfather used the same basic methods to keep the soil workable during bitter winters in Montana. A good layer of mulch - he prefered several inches of partially composted sawdust with some straw on top - went a long way toward making it easy to get everything worked around in early spring (yep, usually before the snow was gone he was out there getting things in shape for his garden.)

[KateDaum]

I forgot to add we are hoping there is enough snow to run the Birkie this year. My husband has always wanted to participate. I know a few years it has been cancelled or modified because of the of snow conditions. Now that we are living here we are hoping for ideal conditions. I will opt for one of their shorter events. But my husband and daughters want to do the whole course.

[ekg56]

Kate, we are also outside in the winter too. We love to snowshoe and cross country ski.
I also lay a layer of mulch and cover it with plastic. Then the end of March I pull it back and the soil is soft. I put my peas in there. If I don't have them in by April 8th then I don't get a decent crop. So I know what you are saying. I also put in some lettuce and we can eat it by early May.
I also keep carrots in the ground all winter and I planted garlic at the end of October and I should be able to start using it in March.
Congratulations on making Wisconsin your full time home. I know how long you have waited to do it. Enjoy yourselves!
We have gone up to Cable and watched the Birkie. It is a lot of fun. Keep us updated!