This winter has been a very long one. With a snowstorm hitting in May, gardeners are having a tough time planting.

I have just gotten into gardening a bit, but only with food. My papi has been gardening most of his life and still plants each year. He would always have fresh tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, etc. You name it, he had it. Growing up and being able to use all of those fresh vegetables was cool. He never had to go to the store for produce in his life.

In the middle of April I decided to start doing the same thing. I went to Walmart and Tractor Supply and got everything I needed to start a food garden. The only thing I needed and didn't have was the sun and some warm weather.

Within a week I had some sprouts, but by week 3, they were all dead. Kaylee Waugh said, “Unfortunately all of my tomatoes died, too. I definitely planted them too early but this is usually when I plant every year. This weather has been crazy. It’s 80 degrees one day and a snow storm the next.”

She added, “The last frost that we had is definitely what killed all of my sprouts this year.” She is hoping to replant sometime in the next few weeks as the weather gets warmer.

My Papi said, “I’m waiting to plant my seeds this year. The winter wasn’t severe so that means it's going to be a long one.”

He is obviously a veteran when it comes to gardening and knowing when the right time is. I think next time I go to plant my seeds, I’ll check in with him first.