My rant for today

The weather is just not helping me this year. In 2006 I decided to landscape out my yard and have been working towards that. In 2007 I started to know what I was talking about and tried a bunch of different stuff. Think I have the hang of starting seeds, starting plants by cuttings etc along with expanding my plant vocabulary. The whole year the rain didn't help at all. 2 weeks of no rain then 2 inches in 1 day. My established plants and trees were fine with that but with the new stuff it was an upward battle. Planted 5 different citrus trees and those did fine so far. They're cold hardy or at least as cold hardy as you'll get but they're small and it looks like it supposed to be 22 degrees Wednesday. ????? Come on. It hasn't been 22 where I live in years, why does it have to be this year?

I think the weather is personally out to get me this year. For 2008 I have many new plants to give a try and really start filling in around my main stuff, all I want is a little cooperation next year.


LOL. If my citrus trees were bigger I wouldn't worry about a night or two of cold weather but I'm going to have to throw sheets over them and maybe lights. Not sure yet but something has to be done.

If your trees aren't very tall, you can try spraying them with water when it gets below freezing to form a coat of ice on them. Once covered in ice, it acts as a blanket against colder temperatures.

X

Core, sometimes Mother Nature is NOT too kind!!! I'm hoping you find the protection you need for your struggling little garden & baby trees! Let's hope 2008 does not have so many weather challenges for you.

One problem is my struggling little garden is about an acre. I didn't get crazy with tropical stuff so I'll be fine. Ended up covering the citrus trees with sheets and putting a light bulb in each. I had some cheap 40 watt spot lights from Halloween which look like they'll work fine. That is if the sheets don't fly away. Covered up a couple of other things so I should be ready. I picked out plants and trees that can handle the high 20's but when it's getting down in the low 20's things are getting on the edge.

Core: I've had 2 Meyer Lemons and an orange tree outside in clay pots for 5 years now. Each is about 3 ft tall from the soil line. In winter, I wrap the trunks lightly with dark cloth and if there is a hard freeze I sometimes toss a sheet over them. Haven't lost one yet and have had more fruit each year. I bet yours will be fine.

But you know the old Greek(?) saying: the gods laugh when we make plans. ;->

Deb

They must really be chuckling tonight. I broke down and brought most of my Plumerias a couple of my tropical hibiscus, the Papaya and a Jatropha poderica into the garage. I have been sooooo spoiled these last few years; my comeuppance may come tonight for sure.
My citrus are well established, I am hoping, praying, have my fingers and toes crossed, etc that they will do OK.

I just heard on the news that almost all of FL is in the deep freeze tonight. No fresh veggies for a while.

Yes,..They're even expecting some snow flurries along the coast of N. Fla., I heard. It's already below freezing here.

Really snow in Fla. Nice.

Strangely my BOPs were untouched last night. Maybe BOPs are a lot more hardy than people give them credit for. We'll see in a couple more days if they were damaged at all.

And I was worried about my BOP that's in the garage! Amazing.

This was a surprise to me. One of my Clematis (I call him Ernie), had produced some new buds going into this weather, and I was sure they'd be toast by this morning for sure. But...tadaaa! This pic was taken at 9 this morning when it was still in the low 20s. Now..tonight may be the night that does 'em in - 3 in a row may be too much. But what a little trooper!

lolol-DebinSC
Your clematis is Ernie? (It isn't Ernest Markham, that's redder, isn't it?).

4paws: It is Ernest Markham, but it's looking a bit pale, isn't it? :) It's always pictured as red in the catalogs, but mine has always been more magenta-ish. Now, having said that, it's possible, this little fella was mis-labeled and someday I may figure out it's not E.M. after all, but he'll always be Ernie to me. ;->
Deb

I like the color better than what it shows in catalogs!

BOP's looking a little brown today. They didn't seem to like last night. Oh well, don't think they're dead, just need a good pruning. lol.