In my part of Iowa, we have basically received three straight weeks of rain and before that it was too cold to plant, thus my main garden other then Peppers and Tomatoes is not planted. Current forecast is rain for the next week. I sunk up to my ankles two days ago in my garden.

I am having to refigure what I will be planting this year.

Dean

Jim,

I hear you... Same here, to the north from you. Rain, rain, rain, and cold.

Although my tomato plants looks very good, I am sure they are not liking this weather. The tomatoes growing in greenhouses look much better (twice as tall and blooming), so I have lots of hope for these.

Hang on, I am sure the cold weather cannot last for too long!!!

Tania

Wow Jim. If I could send you some of our heatwave, I would. ;)

Hey Jim, did you see the "June Gloom" article on the front page of today's (Sat) Times? Sigh.

excerpt:
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Brace yourself for lower-than-normal temperatures, rain and cloudy days this month, the National Weather Service says.

And don't expect a warm July, either.

"The three-month outlook for Western Washington shows below-normal temperatures mid-May through July," said Jeff Michalski, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Seattle.

The prediction that temperatures will be "below normal" means they could be only 1 or 2 degrees below average  or as much as 10 or 15 degrees below average, as they've been for the past few days.

On the brighter side, it's supposed to rain a little less than normal this summer, Michalski said.

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Here is a link that might be useful: June Gloom all through July

No sun and below normal temps. Great that's what I needed for my first garden.

Its been a weird spring in several areas, no doubt.

Jim, I'm sorry to hear it. It sounds more like zone 4 or 5 than zone 8. It seems like I say it every year, but the weather has been bad for gardeners. I'm two weeks behind in getting the garden in (only about half planted right now.) I won't finish today either. I think I will be able to finish putting it in next weekend.

We were stuck in a similar weather pattern. Cold & rainy from mid April until now. Now it's 90 and sticky outside. I have to go water the squashes & beans I planted yesterday.

Hang in there, it's not too late. Everything is going to be a couple weeks later this year. Plant peas, spinach, lettuce, and radishes so you can get some "instant" gratification. On a positive note, maybe with the late plantings there will be less bugs to fend off.

You could also pot up some of your tomatoes in containers. The pots heat up faster and might give those tomatoes the added edge.

Booberry
I always do a lot of Pot Planting,as I have a small garden space. I have 8 of my tomatoes in large pots at this time. The Insuk's beans are doing very well as they always do. I have the lettuce growing in old retired wheelbarrows with holes drilled through the bottom. Even have a Bush Early Girl planted in an old Scotts Rotary Spreader. If I have something that will hold dirt and I don't need it gets some potting soil and a plant and used for decorative purposes.The Mr's used to Bug me as to where I got these weird planting ideas. I told her "I had a fertile mind". She agreed,sort of, saying "I had sh*t for brains." Wives can be so understanding at times.

Hearts up guys:
Remember that every cloud has a silver lining, and all that.
We were fortunate with a window earlier of dry weather for a week or so before the spring storms hit in earnest.
This would be my guess , if you get a few days where the ground can drain and dry a little ... plant everything quick and mulch.
They may sit there and just look at you for a while but when summer gets here they will perk up!!
Tom

It was snowing here yesterday. I afraid to even look at my tomato plants with all the wind, snow, and rain.

We are in the worst drought in at least 40 years they say here. And was 101 with 30-45 mph winds with gusts higher yesterday. We've been having wind 5-6 days of the week. Has been a trying time in the garden. So far most of my plants have survived. Have cut down what all I planned to plant. Still think if the wind will die down some can have a decent summer. Oh that eternal hope. JD