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mary_lu_gw

Gardening could be ending tonight for me...

mary_lu_gw
12 years ago

We have a frost advisory for tonight and tomorrow night. Further north of us there is a freeze warning. So, if the weatherman is right, we could be ending our gardening early for this year. Usually we don't get frost until early October.

Anyone else looking at an early frost?

Comments (16)

  • lavender_lass
    12 years ago

    Mary lu- We had our first frost on August 21. Did I mention that I'm going to be growing more frost-hardy perennials? :)

  • rosesstink
    12 years ago

    Well that sucks. Our first frost date has traditionally been mid-September. It has been considerably later than that the past few years. Haven't been even close to a frost so far this year. Climate change?

  • bev2009
    12 years ago

    What a bummer. I just checked our forecast and no frost for the next ten days. I'm glad because I hope to move a lot of plants around yet. Can you move them after a frost?

  • soxxxx
    12 years ago

    My gardening ended with drouth. I do not remember the exact date . It was slow and subtle. Over 100 degrees here today. The weatherman says it will be the last 3 digit day. Rain would be so WELCOME. I might just go dance in it.

  • adriennemb2
    12 years ago

    Frost warnings for us too, last night and tonight. Then it looks like the temperatures will recover for the rest of the month.
    Wouldn't be so bad if we EVER got any decent rain...

  • tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
    12 years ago

    No frost yet, but I'm relatively close to Lake Michigan and it usually holds off until October...usually. With only 5-6 months of frost free gardening, several years ago I started leaning more to conifers just to have something green (or blue or yellow) year round.

    tj

  • mary_lu_gw
    Original Author
    12 years ago

    10 PM weather was just on and we are already down to 42, so that doesn't bode well for the rest of the night. Will let you know tomorrow what happens.

    We have had an exceptionally dry summer, but not nearly as bad as those of you in drought conditions. Sending thoughts of rain your way!

  • mandolls
    12 years ago

    I am in NW Wi about an hour east of the Twin Cities, and we have the same predictions and warnings as you. The local airport is reading 32 degrees right now. It is about 6:15 am, so its to dark to see for sure, but I dont see frost on the hoods of the cars and the hostas dont look slimed. I did spend an hour or two yesterday evening bringing in all of the potted plants, and then cutting all of the Dahlia blooms and any tomato that looked vaguely like it was going to ripen. Then just went inside and crossed my fingers. There are many times when frost hits around here that my yard doesnt get it. I am praying this is one of them

  • mandolls
    12 years ago

    Whew - suns up now and everything is looking good - hope thats true for the rest of you too.

  • schoolhouse_gw
    12 years ago

    Like Mary Lu, we are going to be seeing low-mid 40's overnight for the next couple of days. I'm wondering if I should bring in my pots already, esp. the ones that sit directly on the stones. But then temps are suppose to return to normal, so maybe I'll take a chance. Haven't heard any frost warnings,tho. Rainy and chilly here this morning.

  • mary_lu_gw
    Original Author
    12 years ago

    We got down to 34....whew, I don't see any damage either. One more night to get through and then it is suppose to warm up again.

  • mnwsgal
    12 years ago

    No damage in my gardens. Temp in the city was 36 and much of the metro above freezing though outlying areas had temps in the 20s.

  • cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
    12 years ago

    I am so sad for all of you. Hope the frost holds off a bit if it hasn't already hit.

    TJ, those conifers are absolutely beautiful! Are they dwarfs (the tall ones, I mean)? I would love to plant some down here, but don't know much about them other than the more common ones.

  • tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
    12 years ago

    @ cyn427- They're a dwarf in that they are smaller than a "normal" tree of that species would grow. The tall ones in that pic will get quite tall (10, 20 or 30 feet...eventually) but have a narrow footprint. Also, they grow at a rate of only 6-8 inches a year so they will take quite a while to get very tall. These should look good here even when they do get to those heights. Virginia has a great climate for many conifers unless you are near the ocean salt spray.

    tj

  • mary_lu_gw
    Original Author
    12 years ago

    Just wanted to update everyone. We managed to get through the 2 nights last week without frost or hard freeze. It came close, but not quite. I am so glad. Tonight I picked an ice cream pail full of raspberries! My roses are loaded with blooms, if a little lanky looking. They always tend to throw long canes this time of year. I even picked a small bowl of strawberries from my everbearing patch tonight.

    Life is good.

  • Ginny McLean_Petite_Garden
    12 years ago

    Oddly, here in the frozen north, we have not had frost yet. I'm grateful but my husband lost his bet so far.:)

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