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Growing on the High Plains: May Day Mayhem

If April showers are supposed to bring May flowers, what will our May blizzard bring? 

On today's Growing on the High Plains, I thought I'd address the recent 14-inch snow storm that dealt our region a wintery wallop. I can imagine that I was not the only gardener sent scrambling indoors, rummaging for supplies to erect makeshift shelters for our supple Spring planting.
 
From a sturdy shelterbelt to a mess of brittle limbs and litter, the High Plains witnessed a Spring surprise that left us as confused as the shrubbery. But despite below-freezing temperatures, I was pleased that some of the strong survived -- including us!

 

Years ago Skip Mancini left the rocky coast of Northern California to return to her roots in the heartland. Her San Francisco friends, concerned over her decision to live in a desolate flatland best known for a Hollywood tornado, were afraid she would wither and die on the vine. With pioneer spirit, Skip planted a garden. She began to learn about growing not only flowers and vegetables, but hearts and minds. If you agree that the prairie is a special place, we think you'll enjoy her weekly sojourns into Growing on the High Plains.