WINTER BLAST

Me, too. Leaving them covered until I see what happens Wednesday.

Only time will tell on the plants. Some of what we have may not make it but others may surprize us. Whatever we loose, we know others that we can get cuttings from or seeds to replinish. That is what friendly gardeners do.
Anna...hope your leak is easily repaired. We had one a few weeks back behind the shop so turned off that section until warmer weather. My neighbor on the north side awoke to the sound of rain...but it was inside. Here den and wash room ceilings were wet...now she waits for a plumber.

yuck!

bananna18,

Arugula, violets, and most pansies are cold hardy even in Upstate NY. Those plants poke holes through the snow, even before the crocus does. The Giant Pansies from Switzerland are often referred to as "Winter Or Ice Pansies"

These are the Top 12 cold frame - hoop house crops I grew in NY, they're viable down here in Texas within the cold months with minimum care. Most die off in the summer heat down here, so I've noticed from experience.

Arugula
Broccoli
Beets
Cabbage
Carrots
Chard
Chinese cabbage
Green onion
Kale
Lettuce
Mustard
Radish
Spinach
(And most of the ones from the Brassica Family)

My "Maiden Pinks" which are really red in color, came through with no protection from the snow at all. They often die back in the Texas heat.

You can go here to learn more about some winter crops: http://www.humeseeds.com/falwint.htm

I used an easy method for a cold frame -- I bought some "Giant See Through" plastic bins at walmart's and put a red brick on top. They have stayed put even through all the high winds. LOL! I got this idea from last winter. A plastic bin I used for a plant nursery got blown over when I got hurt and I couldn't retrieve it; and it stayed right there till springtime. Low and behold... all of the grass under there was one foot tall. Spring rains and the snow melting crept under it because there was nothing holding it down, yet it stayed right there. It was close to the house too. At least by 2 feet.

No, I don't have any pics, I have no camera. I'm working on getting a new computer first; instead of this dinosaur.

~ Robin

This blast must of been pretty bad. Dead fish are washing up on shore and a sea turtle rescue is going on. quote from the local news.

Jeff George, Director, Sea Turtle Inc., says, "This is epic. Texas has never seen this many cold stranded sea turtles… live that came in and have managed to survive and are getting ready to be released is about 775. Dead fortunately only about 50 right now."

I am so sorry, it seems that everyone has suffered through this cold spell.

I found some dead geikos in my yeard today !!

Poor things I bet a lot of them froze during this cold snap. Haven't looked in my yard, too afraid.
C

Robin I love the see thru plastic bin idea for a cold frame Thank you bunches can't wait to go back to wallyworld ,of all my winter crops the only ones that came through with mininmum damage was the Kale and Cabbage the Pansies get greened up between cold fronts then knocked back down ,one Crocus is trying to bloom and one Hyacinth if could get 4 or 5 warm days in a row would have many blooms...

Just watched weather....more cold wet stuff headed our way 2 am Wed morning. Could be sleet and snow from what they are saying. Main heavy area will be north of DFW area. Hope they are wrong and it doesn't get that cold.

Robin, I have used a mini version of the plastic bins. I use the plastic containers from lettuce or spinach over tender spouts.I like the idea of the bigger version. Do you take them off when it warms up?
Didn't realize arugula was so hardy. I think covering them helped alot since the unprotected kale looks inedible right now.

Oooohhhh! I hadn't thought of the plastic bins! Brilliant idea! How do you weight them down?

I bet a couple bricks would hold them.

Oh Hell! Not this again!
C

Yep, here we go again !! Actual temp here right now is 15º with wind chill of -2º.

G

Morning Newton! Sorry, yes again, winter all at once and over - instead of weeks of winter, sigh. Hard freeze coming even here at home in Houston, what lives, lives. Then we 'rearranj the furniture' and add new pieces to replace what died. Haven't caught up on everything yet, sleep was my first priority last night. They didn't list peas as a cold hardy crop, and it always took chills to get my peas to make. Got my woolly socks from Cabelas on my toes, they are supposed to be hunters socks, but they make the best support socks and toe warmers I've ever had, takes a shoe size at least 2 bigger than what I normally wear to get my feet in shoes, so I just use them as sleeper socks. Time for coffee and browsing, you guys need to start a new thread for this new storm, chuckl

NO new thread, this needs to be our last entries for the year!
I have my thick footies on as well, tile gets really cold in this weather. I have already mourned my plants. Shouldn't admit this but I was pretty hateful for a day or so and couldn't admit to my poor husband it was a small meltdown over my plants LOL. But I am past that now. Strangely, my pond is not at all frozen this morning and the pump survived the last deep freeze. Stay warm and stay in if you can. This is my fifth day off from work and honestly I would rather be there then stuck at home today.
C

Yes, I know what you mean Cheryl, we have had to cancel many workdays at the wildscape, the Fielder house and the greenhouse, and i really miss it, I hate to be stuck inside and I miss the companionship, but patience is the order of the day.

Regardless of my frustration I still am very thankful for a warm home, good health, good food, and the love of my family and friends and also the pets.
I have my cat plus my daughter's two dogs that I am babysitting this week, so I have a very interesting situation, my cat doesn't like them so I have to keep the distance and the peace.
Josephine.

My daughter has had 5 snow days this year! Is that a new record for Texas?

I am nor sure Dennis, but i think it is a record.

I don't know, but I have been teaching here for six years and the first 4 we had 0 snow days. Last year we had a few and then there is the 5 for this year. Some sort of trend related to weather patterns perhaps?
C

I decided to do some extra winter sowing last night. More hollyhocks and some tall verbena. If it is still cold tonight I'm going for more. I'm going to get something out of this, one way or the other.

My appointment to have my xray and see the ortho was cancelled. I guess I will be walking around with this post op shoe a while longer. Atleast it is feeling better. Although not happy I have had to use vacation pay when work was cancelled, it probably helped to speed healing of my broken toe. Hard to believe the Valentine's weekend to trim roses is coming right up!

Yes, February is moving along pretty fast.

My daughter's birthday is on Saturday, and her aunt and uncle sent her a sled after seeing a picture of her sliding down a hill in a laundry basket during last week's storm. We let her open her present early, given today's weather.

The main problem with the little "hill" in our backyard is the big tree at the end of the slope... :)

How cute!

Sigh, yeah, it isn't the fall that hurts, it's the sudden stop at the end. Chuckle, your tree needs a big pillow

Oh Dennis, you need to come a couple hours north -- we have more snow, but bring your hill -- nix the tree.

You brought back memories of us sledding while in Montana (where they really know snow and hills) and the picture I have of my hubby and son crashed into a tree. Such fun, if you can dress warm enough.

Sun is beginning to shine here, at noon the temp is 29. Spring is on the way!

This message was edited Feb 9, 2011 12:45 PM

Very cute Dennis.
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Good to hear from you Greta, (sorry I forgot your real name)
Josephine.

I hope this is the last of the freeze...according to the "pros" Feb 14th is when roses are to be pruned!!! I think I'll wait an extra week to be sure!!

We had some fun, but I really tired of this winter. The extended range forecast is showing 70 degrees next week! Fingers crossed.

Josephine, it's Brenda, but Greta is fine. . . HI!

Thank you Brenda, I have a terrible memory for names.
Josephine.

We hope to see you again in the spring at Round Up Brenda. I bet you will need some more plants after the freezes we have had.

Well, spring shall be here for me 02/16. That is when pitchers and catchers report to spring training camp. So Mother Nature needs to upgrade the weather accordingly! =D

Goodbye CAULIFLOWERS .... ooohhhh

Goodbye FAVA BEANS .... oooohhhhhh

drthor -- how sad, and that is with row covers! Sad, sad, sad.

Spring round-up. . . hm-m-m, I'd be coming empty handed. I have nothing started or large enough to devide. But, I am setting up a greenhouse, so I may have lots of little babies started. If I ever get it up!

So sorry about your vegetables. I love Faba beans too.