Sunday, January 14. 2007
Freezing
It's freezing in the Bay Area. Down in the 20s. If you haven't already taken action to help protect your plants, here's some good advice from CBS5:
Act now, and let the plants come through the freeze before pruning too much. Read the rest of the article for what to do after the freeze, and this spring, if it ever comes.
As you've probably heard, we're in for some cold weather. This could be the worst cold spell in the Bay Area since 1989, when we lost a lot of plants in the Botanical Garden....
Here are some basic steps to take before a potential frost and after:
Cover tender plants with frost cloth. Hopefully it hasn't sold out everywhere at this point. Check your local nursery or garden supply store for availability. Using an old sheet is better than nothing, but frost cloth is preferable. If you use a sheet, towel or tarp, try to arrange it so that it does not touch the leaves of the plant.
Most plants could benefit from a small watering as part of your preparation, but NOT cactus and other water-retaining succulents. As you know, water expands when it freezes. If the cells of your succulents are full of water, they will burst when the water freezes, killing the plant. If they're a little low on water when the cold arrives, there's a chance the cell walls will be able to stand a little expansion and won't burst.
Bring as many of your container plants inside as possible. If they don't fit inside, placing them against an outside wall of your house or apartment, particularly if there's an overhang, can make a big difference.
What do you do after a freeze? Be patient.
Here are some basic steps to take before a potential frost and after:
Cover tender plants with frost cloth. Hopefully it hasn't sold out everywhere at this point. Check your local nursery or garden supply store for availability. Using an old sheet is better than nothing, but frost cloth is preferable. If you use a sheet, towel or tarp, try to arrange it so that it does not touch the leaves of the plant.
Most plants could benefit from a small watering as part of your preparation, but NOT cactus and other water-retaining succulents. As you know, water expands when it freezes. If the cells of your succulents are full of water, they will burst when the water freezes, killing the plant. If they're a little low on water when the cold arrives, there's a chance the cell walls will be able to stand a little expansion and won't burst.
Bring as many of your container plants inside as possible. If they don't fit inside, placing them against an outside wall of your house or apartment, particularly if there's an overhang, can make a big difference.
What do you do after a freeze? Be patient.
Act now, and let the plants come through the freeze before pruning too much. Read the rest of the article for what to do after the freeze, and this spring, if it ever comes.
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