What’s most important? What can you live without? Are some things no longer worth the bother?
These aren’t just questions we ponder after age 40. We ask these questions when we hear frost is on the way.
A cold night last week had me worried. It turned out to be a false frost alarm, but the scare was good training.
CARE FOR CONTAINERS
Plants can freeze in the ground. Yet, potted plants are even more vulnerable because the roots are not protected.
As we transition into cold weather, try to keep your container plants well watered. Heat becomes trapped in the moist soil during the day, and will be released overnight.
For cold-sensitive plants, cover with a tarp or old sheet before nightfall. By the time it gets dark, most of that heat from the soil will have escaped.
If you work close to where you live, take an afternoon break when frost is predicted and cover sensitive plants before the daylight is gone.
Knowing what’s cold-sensitive and what is not may require some research. Temperatures below freezing, 32 degrees, does not necessarily mean plants will be damaged. Most plants that grow in this area will not be damaged until the cold dips down to 20-25. The longer the cold lingers, the more damage is possible.
Check out this list from Louisiana State University:http://tinyurl.com/olwarsb
What you use as a cover is up to you. For small plants, a cardboard box or plastic tub might do the trick. You can also try sheets and blankets. Note that plastic that directly touches the leaves could burn the leaves.
On the rise
Just as hot air rises, cold air drops. If you have plants that might die in cold weather, move them to a location on an upward slope, or onto a porch. The coldest of air will drop to the lower zone.
Cool-season annuals at Mendon’s Nursery.LOVE AND LOSS
Several weeks ago my sister and I went on the Farm City bus tour, which included a stop at Mendon’s Nursery in Paradise. I took the opportunity to ask one of Mendon’s knowledgeable staff about portulaca. What was the best way to keep it alive during winter?
In case you aren’t familiar with portulaca, it also goes by the name of moss rose. The succulent does well in hot, hot places, including my metal wheelbarrow filled with poor soil. It flowers profusely in the middle of the hot, hot summer.
The Mendon’s guy was quick with his answer.
“It’ll die. It’s a heat-loving plant. Treat it like an annual.”
I loved that he was so succinct.
No judgement. Let it die.
I feel the same way about chrysanthemums.
Mums were on sale at Mendon’s that day and they are lovely. They come in a variety of fall fashion colors.
Now I have a chrysanthemum bouquet in the center of my kitchen table. More than two weeks have gone by and it shows no sign of fading.
After numerous attempts, I have never been able to make chrysanthemum bloom again. However, as a living bouquet it might thrive all winter.
You could make the same argument for orchids in bloom. When you give someone an orchid, the flowers will be stunning for months.
When the blooms fade, give the orchid plant to someone who knows how to care for orchids.
Poinsettias — exactly the same.
