Hello from Southern Maine

Looking forward to learning lots from this Community and there sure is a lot to learn!

Hi Will_E, welcome in! 👋

I think I was only in Maine once, in Minot for a music festival but it was gorgeous up there 😁 I lived in Vermont for a while too and now that I'm down in Southern Arizona, once in a blue moon I find myself missing the cool crisp air through the pines up in the Northeast 😌

How long is your growing season up there? must be really short, but I'd imagine the extra hours of sunlight help a lot. What kind of struggles do you have growing in Maine?

Hello,
The growing season starts in April (peas), but really doesn't start until mid-May when the threat of frost is past. Even though we all are chomping at the bit to get things in the ground I've found that planting in early June by the 10th works out better as it seems a lot of the pests are avoided with a later start. Late September and lately (Climate Change) later and certainly a killing frost kind of ends the season except for the hardy plants (kale, peas, carrots, etc.). Garlic goes in near the end of October for the next season.
Struggles are mostly climate and critters - the gray squirrels can be very destructive and love our plums, cherries, and peaches. Often there's one bite missing and the fruit is ruined.
Currently the season is in full swing and keeping us very busy.

What kind of gardening challenges do you have in Arizona? I've never been to AZ, but have been next door in Utah - it's a beautiful part of the Country!