Okay, Mother Nature, you’ve made your point. You’re in control. Now could you please give us Spring?
Rain, snow, hail and don’t forget the wind! This spring is certainly slow coming but once it gets here, it’s going to hit quick.
Our ground may still be soggy, although the wind is good for one thing...helping to dry out our landscapes. Looking at some of my photos from last year, we’re about 3 weeks behind. The plants below are barely peeking out of the ground in my landscape right now.
Resurrectionlilies, hyacinth and Prairie Smoke –photostaken 4-8-21
We gardeners are all ANXIOUS to get out and do what we love to do. Cut back those perennials, purchase our annuals for container plantings, get those pansy bowls out and start planting cool season vegetable crops. Maybe you are looking to add some trees, shrubs and/or perennials.
Some quick tips for now:
- Spring IS a good time to plant but don’t dig in soggy soil.
- Add your decorative mulch when the soil has thawed.
- Keep an eye on temperatures and cover up those annuals when it’s cold.
Here are some terms to keep in mind:
- A Light frost happens at 29 to 32 degrees.
- A Hard frost is 25 to 28 degrees and a freeze is below 25.
- A Frost ADVISORY is issued when the minimum temp will be 33 to 36 degrees during the growing season.
- A Freeze WATCH is when there is a POTENTIAL for significant widespread freezing within the next 24 to 36 hours.
- A Freeze WARNING is when there’s an 80 percent chance that the temperatures will fall to 32 degrees or lower in the next 3 to 30 hours during the growing season.
- A Hard freeze is when the temperature is expected to drop to 28 degrees. If you can, cover tender buds and new plant life with a sheet or other material. Remove it during the day to enjoy sunshine even if you have to put it back overnight.
If I see a hard freeze warning now, I’m going to consider moving. Just sayin’...
Pack your bags, Winter, it’s time to go,
