What a way to start the day:
A Special Weather Update,
From Neil Sperry's e-gardens
You are probably already aware that the first major cold front is expected to plow into Texas beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, November 29.
I have just spent some time on www.weather.com and it appears that the worst of the really cold weather will hit the Panhandle and the rest of the northern third of the state. It appears that moisture will also likely accompany the cold, particularly in the northern parts of Texas. That is a good thing.
It's pretty easy to see the progress of the cold Wednesday night and Thursday. As of early afternoon the expected low temperatures for a sampling of cities were as follows:
Low temperatures: Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat.
Amarillo 15 17 21 19
Lubbock 22 20 25 24
Abilene 37 26 29 28
Dallas/Fort Worth 48 27 28 30
Austin 65 33 34 37
San Antonio 64 31 36 38
Houston 66 33 34 38
Harlingen 65 42 46 51
Compare those to:
Topeka, KS 18 15 19 19
Minot, ND -1 8 9 3
Barrow, AK 8 8 4 8
(Topeka sounds like Amarillo, and Barrow won't be much colder.)
Possible damage?
While this will represent a sudden drop from balmy weather of the past week or longer, these Texas temperatures don't appear too threatening. Here are your biggest concerns:
* Plants that are dry are vulnerable. If it's been a while since you had rain or ran the sprinklers, consider irrigating before the cold arrives. Dry plants will always be hurt worst. That's also true for new pansy beds and turf that has been planted this fall.
* Plants that are growing in containers are most likely to have damage. Their soil balls freeze where plants in the ground would not. Loosely speaking, you sacrifice about 20 degrees of winter hardiness when you have plants above ground.
* Don't leave hoses attached to faucets. Wrap exposed pipes to protect against freezing. Drain all hose-end sprinklers. Water expands as it freezes and has the power to rupture pipes and equipment.
* Gardeners in the southern half of Texas, where temperatures are expected to reach freezing for the first time this fall, need to be sure all tender plants that are going to be saved are brought into protection.
* If you have a greenhouse, be sure the heat source is functioning properly. Have a back-up heat source in case of power outage.
* If you're buying a poinsettia in the next few days and if temperatures are below 40 degrees, have your car warm as you get ready for the trip home. Do not let it be exposed to freezing temperatures for more than a few seconds. Covering it with a lightweight fabric or even paper can give you several minutes longer.
In short, use your common sense and prior experiences to cope with this cold spell. While it's going to be unpleasant and a big change from what we have grown to know and love these last several days, it should not present any clear and present danger to the majority of our Texas plantings.
We'll have more in this Thursday's normal e-gardens and we will keep you updated anytime the Texas weather dictates.
Best wishes, and
Happy Gardening!
Neil Sperry
One more time... are you ready?
This South Texan has a horse blanket on order, and extra hay in the barn! BRR! Shiver Shiver! That darn blanket was ordered Sunday... I sure hope it gets here on time.
Geez! I forgot about the hoses! Thanks for the reminder! Otherwise, I would've left two hoses out with water in 'em. Holy toledo!
I sure hope my greenhouse heater is able to keep up. I've got a backup electric one, but I need to get a gas alternative for power outages. We've already had a couple nights below 32 so most of my outside plants have already went to sleep for the winter. How about the plants in my veggie bed? Is 25 too cold for some of those plants? Should I throw a blanket over anything in there? I've got radishes, lettuce, beets, onions, garlic, broccoli, and cabbage.
Kim
From my "yankee" days.. I think radishes, onions, garlic, and cabbage will be okay.. not sure about the others
Thanks Angel.....I'm from up north as well but never had a winter veggie garden down here before. In Ohio I think we had all these things out in about March, so I think they will be ok. I just wanted to check. I've got a few things in the flower beds I am going to mulch good. At least now the weather will feel more Christmasy!
Kim
I'm going to put on the shade screening tonight. Seems to work in Houston. Cheap and big - 20 ft rolls at Home Depot - 6' wide. 80% heavy plastic shade cloth. This is the third year for mine. I do remove, fold, and roll up between uses.
thanks for the tips. I have to go water everything
Dang! I figure there's 4 nights straight of possible freeze where I am, with 2 or 3 of those very likely as it stands now. This is the time of year I kind of wish I didn't live in the hills. My friend in nearby San Antonio gets very few freezes compared to us. And no greenhouse here. Okay, now where's my long johns and gloves?