Warm and Wet June -- and a note about weeds

I can't remember a July 4th that was as mild as yesterday. Isn't Taste of Chicago coming to town soon? Doesn't that mean our temps should be 100+?

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Looking back at June, our state climatologist, Jim Angel, tells us that it was the 8th wettest June on record, and that 4 of the 5 previous Junes have been wetter than average. The exception -- 2012, our drought year.

We've gotten close to 8" of rain in our area in June -- 4" above our average. No wonder the weeds are growing gangbusters.

I've gone easy on weeds -- sending out just unofficial weed warnings -- because of the mud. As we -- hopefully -- get drier, and our plants start to produce, I'm going to get tougher about weeds. I'm not concerned with tiny ones, or ones here and there -- I'm concerned when it doesn't look like someone is tending to their plot.

So don't worry about having a spotless plot -- unless that's how you like to garden. Handle the biggest weeds first, especially along the edges. If you're overwhelmed by the number of weeds, look at your weed handout and pick one easily-identified weed and just pick that. Once you've started clearing some space, it will be easier to see what other weeds are around -- and leave your intended veg alone.

When in doubt -- ask me and Stephanie to take a look!