Wild May weather has affected gardeners

There was a funnel cloud in Fountain on Sunday. part of a day that also featured a tornado in Lamar and near hurricane-force gusts in southeastern Colorado.

It’s just the latest chapter in the book of weather around Southern Colorado this May.

But it’s not the only dramatic evidence of wild weather. Hail was a big problem too.

“We did plant some flowers and the hail gave them a good beating,” said Rebecca Zwicker.

As for the rain, it’s been good news and bad news.

Zwicker said, “I don’t think I can remember a time when we’ve had this much water.”

At Summerland Gardens in Colorado Springs they’ve seen it all. And they’ve heard it all.

Owner Julie McIntyre said, “it’s all we can talk about. Every customer we have a lengthy conversation about the weather.”

The cool, damp weather has posed problems for vegetables like tomatoes.

So much for the tradition of planting the garden on Mother’s Day.

Gardening is normally such a relaxing pursuit, after all how can you not be relaxed when you’re sitting in a garden center.

But the weather that we’ve seen so far in May has been anything but relaxing for people who come to garden centers.

There is good news for gardeners though – when it warms up.

McIntyre said, “if we get some heat in here, I think stuff will really take off.”

For them, the only water they want to see for the next week or so comes from a fountain.