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British Columbia, Canada

What a year!!
I start off with cold rainy weather, plant doesen't grow for 2 months. Near the end of June the plant finally starts pick up, my hopes for a big one continued to rise. But it all gets ruined in one day: I wake up to bizzare 105km winds destroying everything and rolling the pumpkin vines. At one point I thought the pumpkin plant might make it through the winds, but then I get this crap:

Watches
Central Okanagan - including Kelowna
9:47 AM PDT Monday 12 July 2010
Severe thunderstorm watch for
Central Okanagan - including Kelowna issued

Risk of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening.

This is an alert to the potential development of severe thunderstorms with large hail and damaging winds.

Monitor weather conditions..Listen for updated statements. If threatening weather approaches take immediate safety precautions.

Conditions are favaourable for the development of thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. Potential exists that some of these thunderstorms may become severe. Large hail, heavy downpours and brief damaging wind gusts are possible.


I can see the pitch-black clouds coming over the mountain right now, so I'm basicly screwed if I don't put any protection. I'm guessing I've got about an hour until it comes. What are some last minute ideas for protection.

ANY help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!!!
-Jordan.

7/12/2010 1:09:19 PM

British Columbia, Canada

Winds just re-ignited Glenrosa fire! Pics to follow.

7/12/2010 1:15:27 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Well my first advice is don't waste any more time looking at your computer screen. Get your butt out there and stake down the plants with anything you can find. You're probably not going to be able to save yourself from hail in 1 hours time so just cross your fingers on that! good luck Jordan

7/12/2010 1:17:49 PM

British Columbia, Canada

Thanks!
Thankfully I had many stakes down the night before. Got twist ties holding down the main and secondarys. Nervous, but got my fingers crossed.

As for the wildfire, it's totally out of control. It's a grass fire that spread into the forest on the side of Drought mountain (which is Glenrosa)

http://www.castanet.net/ Has info about it.

7/12/2010 2:06:02 PM

Fresno, CA

Find anything you can use over plant and tie down somehow like a car cover, tent tarp, tent rainfly, bed sheets, moving blankets. Is it hail or wind you're worried about?

7/12/2010 2:06:15 PM

British Columbia, Canada

I don't know which situation is more important. I can now see flames coming over Mt Drought. Almost been a year since Glenrosa fire from 2009.

7/12/2010 2:15:59 PM

British Columbia, Canada

I've got all the vine tips protected, I've lost a couple leaves but other wise things seem to be ok. Though this progressing fire is drawing my attention away from the pumpkin.

7/12/2010 2:22:43 PM

British Columbia, Canada

Quick question, if the hail does come, is it possible the plant will survive?

7/12/2010 2:29:49 PM

British Columbia, Canada

Castanet.net

A state of emergence has been declared, fire continues to grow.

7/12/2010 3:40:37 PM

Anchorage, Alaska

Ya plenty of plants survive hail damage but they usually look hellish afterwards.

7/12/2010 9:32:16 PM

Upa Creek, MO

I had some JOLs beat to a pulp by hail last year very early on. Main vine torn to shreads. It grew back because of set roots, but it was young and early in the season.

7/12/2010 9:36:50 PM

British Columbia, Canada

Thanks everyone for the help and advise, the plant has survived the storm with only small damages. Hail wasn't much of a problem, I hamered trampoline poles (Ya, I was rushed) and tied a tarp to it over top of the plant. I diden't have anything to protect against the wind...Though damages are still small with over a couple bent secondarys and a few torn leaves. Considering the amount of risk there was to the plant, I'd say all went well.

As for the fire, it's still active, though cold weather is keeping it from growing much more. It's burned 30 Ha/75 acres of forest, 2 homes, 2 gradges, a boat and a trailer home.

Thanks!!!
-Jordan.

7/13/2010 11:30:02 AM

Pataskala,OH

How is there anything left to burn if you have fires every year. lol

7/13/2010 11:57:21 AM