Ugly? - Yes. Protective? - YES!!

Dear Folks,

I write a lot about NOT pruning frost damage off your plants until all danger of frost is over.

This photo I took yesterday, after a couple of nights of frost, perfectly illustrates why you do not prune the damage away.  The frosted upper growth is now a "blanket" for the under growth, protecting it from more damage. I have chosen not to cover plants this year as many of them are huge because of the warmish winter.

Could the plant still die?  Sure.  But unlikely unless we get into killing freezing temperatures or something else goes wrong.

Try to keep your "needs-to-be-pretty" neatnik under control   According to the weather long-range, we have about 2 more weeks of frost possibility.  Around Mid-March you can begin to prune, taking some of the dead stuff off a little at a time over the course of several days to allow the undergrowth to adjust to the full sun.

Meanwhile - a thing of beauty for me ARE the flower buds on my Pina Colada Mango!

This tree has been in the ground for about 2+ years and I'm hoping she is stable and happy enough to actually give me fruit this year, Oh Boy!

I also have another Mango I started from seed over in the banana garden and she is also doing well but is a couple of years from potential flowers and fruit.

And to round up some garden news for now, Variegated Nasturtium.  I "think" this one will have red flowers, as they re-seed each year.  The other plant in the picture is a bed of my Greek Oregano a lovely, fragrant and edible "ground cover" at a berm in the garden.

Remember my calendars and books are available - the links are on the sidebar here on the blog.

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-- Catherine, The Herb Lady

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Cold Moving On In - Have Plant Frost Protection Ready.

Dear Folks,

The warm weather time (La Nina) is ending with a blast of cold air coming in tonight.  Near freezing in some areas of the valley by tomorrow (Monday) morning. It looks like the low night temps will be around for about 2 weeks according to long-range forecast.

Have you frost protection ready.  This does not look like these will be killing frosts here in the valley area BUT can damage the tops of all sensitive plants.

If you have stuff in the ground, use the jug cover method (poor man's cloche above), cardboard boxes, even lawn chairs to shield plants.

If you have a pile of dried leaves (I keep a pile handy for this and mulching) pile the leaves OVER the seedlings temporarily covering them.

If you have none of those -- sheets, blankets or towels will protect the plants.

You can leave blankets, boxes, sheets and leaves on tender plants for up to 5 days without harm, but it is best to remove during the day if you can to let them have the light.

If you have seedlings, bring them in at night - they still need light during the day.

AND keep the protective stuff handy.  As I posted before this transition time when cool and warm air can collide with winds and atmospheric moisture can bring HAIL.

We ARE heading into spring, it is just going to come in fits and starts for a couple of weeks, then temps will start to rise!


-- Catherine, The Herb Lady

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