Weather Watching Feb 2014 - No More Snow?

New thread for Weather Watching. Who's still got snow? Who is sick of it??
We came from here:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1348179/#new

I have the same situation here that Holly and Ric are having. Weather is warming up, but there is still so much snow on the ground. There are a few hit and miss melted patches, but they and the gravel lane are a muddy, muddy mess. The lane hasn't ever been this soft and muddy - need 4 wheel drive to get back to the house right now. Can't wait for things to melt and dry out so things can get back to normal. I can't even see the hellebores or snow drops to see how they are doing. I am definitely sick of snow and ice.

Mostly brown spots now with a few piles of snow. But, OOOHHHH so mushy!! Afraid to walk around the yard, cuz I might sink. Hehehe

That's ok, if you decide to plant yourself, we'll be sure to come and water you when Summer comes! < =D Maybe we could grow more of you!! =)

yeah, I don't like the mud either.
Yesterday in the morning I checked and the snowdrops were barely peeping out of snow, by PM the snow was all gone from around them.

Well now, that would NOT be funny if that happened to Jan... however, should she sink, I think we should just put a bowl on her head and fill it with succulents - she would make such a lovely garden decoration! < =D

hahaha picture!

That is an entirely fake video by the way! But that mud will suck off shoes and boots. Lots of worms in the leaf litter yesterday. Ground still too frosty for any digging even where dry.
Every one was outside! Cats and dogs rolled in the unfrozen life.

I feel like the snow cover is really good for helping tree leaves decay. It smushes them all down and wets them well. But I should make sure there aren't leaves smushed down and wet on emerging plants.

ROFLOL

Funny!!!! I actually did slog around and made it safely back indoors. I cut a few forsythia branches for inside. Things are starting to poke up. Will wait til after this weekend's COLD weather to start the cleanup.

Reminder
North Creek Group Buy still need to complete some flats for ordering for delivery by Spring Plant Swap

Goldenrods and Asters
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=9772998

Other Native or Nectar or Host plants
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=9773013

FERNS (4 plants of 6 different ferns)
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=9775679

Please indicate your interest. Thanks

It was cold last night, 20s, maybe enough to slow the melt and prevent flooding. The ice on the river and major streams remained intact at about 5-8"s. Too much rise can cause a break up and at that thickness can be very damaging. The resulting ice dams can cause catastrophic flooding way out of proportion to the river level. Our high today should be about 36*F. We still have 8-9"s of snow pack, but the warmer temps got most of the ice and snow from the shrubs and trees.

White flakes falling out of the sky. :-( ah spring the thought of you was sweet...

We got snowed on down here BIG TIME today. Started about 8:30 or so this morning and continued non-stop until about 2:00. Thankfully it was only enough to make the ground and plants pretty white-covered, but the roads and walking surfaces were just wet. A perfect kind of snow, in my humble little opinion. :)

Ric--
Because the front door of my house faces N.--every time I go out, I am
looking at a foot of snow in front of my house.

Everywhere else--it is just grass.....G.

About 3 more inches expected today - ughhhh

It was already snowing when I got up at 4:30, I hope it's all done by the time I have to leave for work! =) Have no idea if any accumulation is expected down here today, but honestly, I don't want any more, thank you.

Woke up to a heavy dusting, probably measurable. I got dressed and went and got the leaf blower, 20 mins. later, all gone. As the sun was hitting the brick and stone walks it was starting to stick, but gone now. The untreated back roads are pretty slick, but a couple of hours of old sol will take care of that.

This am some light snow but not sticking to the roads.

Just have to say that yesterday was one of the finest days of snow I have been privileged to be out in in a long time down here. It was a pleasure delivering my newspaper route and just observing the snow stuck to every branch and twig . It was like double cherry blossoms everywhere, high and low and all at once. The trees and branches so delicately traced, each evergreen a detailed etching. I really love the fractal forms of nature.

yes I was also noticing how pretty this morning!

Judy, mentioning fractals -- have you read "The Shack"? MAN what a book!!!!!!!

Here is a "fractal" someone on DG made of my beautiful Rose picture.
There was a Thread, somewhere, long ago, where they were all playing around with photography.

Here's the Rose

and the fractal of it

Oh man Gita, that is soooo gorgeous!! That is definitely something to have professionally printed out, framed, and displayed in your home prominently!!!

is that the First Prize rose?
I actually like the original rose better.

Yes, Sally--that is my beloved photo of my beloved (long gone now)
"First Prize" Rose...
All the years it lingered in my bed--it never had more than one, measly stem
but it always managed to produce one pretty flower...sun was not the issue...

That spot is now occupied with your Big Leaf Geranium and a blue Salvia.

I like the original better too--the fractal was just for fun. G.

My First Prize sent out a new pretty strong stem last year so I hope it is getting stronger. We've said this before though, sad as the bush may be, it makes the most beautiful flower.

Sally--
How long have you had yours---and where did you get it??
Sometimes I have seen several Roses I have had for years at Walmart.
They get in a hodge-podge of no longer patented Roses. Packaged.
Actually, a decent collection. Goo early before they all get trashed.

I bought a white one there last spring.

If you EVER come across a "Sweet Surrender" one--pick it up. It is beautiful.
Huge. big blooms--with a fragrance to die for....
G.

I've had First Prize for about five -6 years? I got three potted roses for a buck each from a nice manager at Lowes who said '' Take, em! Take em all! GIve them to your friends!!" Two of them were too awful and have died.
I'll be sure and give it epsom salts this spring also.

Why do my Knockout roses look horrible yet they are fabulous in some business planting island middle of a parking lot or next to a major road??

Sally--

Do you cut you KO Roses back about right now? Seriously back?

I did it last week-- when there was a nice day. They don't mind--it actually
makes all kinds of fresh, new growth--which makes more blooms. I cut it back pretty far.

There is no sense in leaving those lanky stems with clusters of old, skimpy growth
and seed pods at the tips.

I learned years ago, from Allan Summers, to add a hand-full of Epsom Salts
the first time you fertilize your roses. He said it makes new canes grow from the base.
Works every time for me.....Then I forget to fertilize them the rest of the year...
Have to get better at that...

Now is also the time, given the weather warms up a bit, to spray Lime Sulphur,
or dormant oil spray all over the roses--ground below included-- to smother any
overwintering black spot spores. Need to rake up ALL the dropped leaves as well.
There may be other products available now---Bayer has a good line..

I often wonder what my roses would look like if they did not lose all their leaves to
black spot--they try to bloom in early fall--but it is all on bare stems...

Well--"so she says'......but does not follow her own advice... G.

thanks, I will try to cut back the KO roses. On our next warm day.- thinking optimistically about HAVING a warm day.. I've only trimmed a bit. My roses have gotten more banana peels and coffee grounds this past summer, since Scott is home full time- Mr Compost Helper, Starbucks Patron and Healthy Eater ( lots of fruit and veg scraps)

Sally--

I will bundle up and go outside to take a picture to show you how fat I cut back
my KO Rose...
I really have to--as, otherwise, it would infringe too much on my neighbor's yard.

Grrrrrrrrr.....it is freezing out there!!! Radio said we may not even top 20* today,,

Anyway--here is my cut back KO Rose....you can see that it sits right on my prop. line...
................the things i do for you......:o)
G.

haha..I owe you a big hug!!!! You are so generous, to all of us!

Sally. I also think that KO roses quickly fell into the mass produced category of shrubs and many of the later clones lost the vigor of those originals. My oldest ones are far more vigorous and always have been than those acquired more recently. Just my opinion Annap. Mall still has a pretty nice installation.

I really need to do something with the climbing roses on the fence out front. Like yours they are terriable looking but they do produce some very pretty blooms. You may have noticed that I hardly ever post a pic of the whole bush, just the occasional look at this pretty bloom pic. LOL
Every year I swear I am going to take better care of them, but somehow I never seem to. I even know someone that lives fairly close that is a serious expert.

Holly--

I have ONE climbing Rose--"Autumn Sunset". When it is in full bloom,
it is gorgous, The tight buds are a deep, bright orange--and when the blooms open,
they fade to a pretty yellow. ...think "sunset"....Dah.

I have read that you are not supposed to prune Climbing Roses--but sometimes you have to.
Branches can grow this way and that--and they can whip against each other.
Trimming is often needed.
Do what you think needs to be done....you know best. G.

Gitagal, are you trying to catch a cold? But knowing you, you are so kind and giving, you would do just about anything to help someone grow or plant a flower.

How are you all, it has been awhile since I have posted but today I was doing research on a plant and when I came here to DG to look up what I had posted years ago, I could not resist saying hello and telling you I miss you all.

When I saw this discussion regarding roses I just had to read up on what was going on, then I saw that Gita was going outside to take a picture, I had to tease her.

Stay safe and well during the new storm due Sunday and Monday here in the Mid Atlantic. I can not believe we still have a 5 ft. pile in the barnyard and they are calling for another possible 12 inches by Monday. Forgive me for butting in and getting off topic.

JB--I am NOT trying--but I DID catch a cold. Started yesterday....
Not b/c I went outside--but there are just too many sick people
walking around at HD.

I will rough it out--NOT gonna miss the swap.

Welcome Back "home'--lovely lady! Gita

Wanna see how many AV's I have??????????

Good Grief, what will you do with all of those? I have a few thanks to your instructions of how to propagate them, and I am running out of space also. Take care of yourself. Have fun at the swap.