Gardening, to me is simply an outdoor classroom. A place to learn wherever the soil takes you. As we gather in our gardens, the smell of damp earth lets us know that class is now in session. Even though the ground is warming up, our soil still holds the chill of Spring and the unpredictability of nature.

One of the lessons of gardening in Cincinnati is not only learning about the clay rich soil, but also how our weather can switch on a dime. Even though the afternoons are warming up, our soil still holds a chill. Knowing which crops are hardy enough to withstand the cooler temperatures and when to plant the tender warm season favorites is vital to a successful harvest. We focused on direct sowing seeds that don’t mind a stray light frost like root crops and hardy brassicas.

There is a specific kind of magic and a fair amount of anxiety that comes during the first week of May here. Our last frost date was estimated to be between April 23rd and April 27th, but these last few days, overnight temperatures dropped down so much that we had make sure our crops were being protected with row covers.

Now the waiting game begins. Struggling with uncertainty and worried about a cold snaps, we know we aren’t alone. We’re all here, tending to our gardens, growing a little bit of peace in the middle of the city.