| Hey friends! We are up to 45 this morning, aiming for mid-60s, with lows staying out of the freezing zone for a while. I pulled all those plants I kept overwinter close to the house, under a roof hoping for those thunderstorms that are promised soon. As I mentioned earlier, gardening is all about learning and this winter's lesson was do a better job of watering those plants I was trying to shield from the winter weather. Seems like most things survived, although I still don't know about the jessamine. I read it might not take the cold here, something I didn't think about. So, if it doesn't come back after I whack all the dead vines off, I am going to find another vine to grow by the front door. Another dissapointment is my roses. They haven't done well at all - both those in the ground and those potted. I even tried bundling them up with burlap, but maybe it was too late. I have pruned the ones that aren't completely dead and who knows if the climbers reverted to root stock or not. I even bought one of those canadian types that are bred for -30F temps, but this is the last year I am going to fight them if they don't perk up. Of course, I have to add I had already bought 6 or so new ones so I will replace the dead ones for this year- but that's it! One last problem are the azaleas. Coming from so many years in So Carolina, and such great success with mine there, I have not been so lucky here. Again, it might be too cold - I know I didn't grow up ever seeing any around here. If they don't leaf out and start to grow I am "quitting" azaleas. gardens1948- I totally agree with you and your grandfather about the May 10th starting date. My daddy practiced the very same thing! |
