Didn't get up to gardens today. The cool weather and threat of down pours and possible thunderstorms will keep me away tomorrow too.

Update from Alan

Last Friday, when Angela R-C and I were moving the straw cover around and digging potato trenches, there were still patches of ice in ground. Since then the warm weather has done its job and now there is just one remaining potato bed to be prepared. The specialty seed potatoes were purchased on Tuesday and we should begin planting when the soil temperature reaches about 10 Celsius - a couple of weeks maybe. The standard varieties, ‘Yukon Gold’, ‘Pontiac’ etc., will be purchased closer to planting time.
Diane, Pat and Shirley were busy on Saturday afternoon potting up 180 Cannas donated by Phyllis. On Sunday Moeen and I divided and potted over 200 dwarf red dahlias - that’s the number we planted last year as bed edging around the main building. All the potted tubers are the cold frame or in pallet shelters and covered with a thick layer of straw. The minimum temperatures at the fairground are consistently six degrees colder than those recorded at the airport. As the forecasts are for above +7, we should be able to take the straw off and leave the pots uncovered until the middle of next week when the minimum is supposed to drop to +3.
All the tomato plants have been moved from under the lights and are now in the greenhouse. Planting will likely be in about a month. The marigolds and bedding plants are still under artificial light and some are starting to set buds
As this is the time of year that people throw things out, here’s a list of some of the things we can use in the garden:
600 feet of old farm fencing for tomatoes.
Any sort of dimensional lumber - 2x2, 2x4, 2x6 - any length, we cut it up to make the hundreds of stakes and pegs which get used in the gardens.
Window blinds to be cut up for plant labels.
Old garden hose - any length any condition. We use dozens of recycled hoses - it takes about 600 feet of hose just to get from the nearest faucet to water the plants by the main sign. We also use bits 5 or 10 feet long to distribute water to nursery beds.
If anyone has an air pump that plugs into a cigarette-lighter, the wheelbarrow tires need a bit of air after sitting all winter.
The weather doesn’t look bad for the weekend so if anyone wants to come to the gardens there’s lot so be done. As usual, I’ll be available Saturday and Sunday afternoons - 2 ‘til 4 - but contact me first so I know that someone is coming.

Day +10 cloudy with rain 10.4mm Winds 20km/h P.O.P.90%
Night +6 thundershowers Winds 15km/h P.O.P.80%