Killing frost/freeze

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 8:03 am

I have to say this ratcheting down of temps/low sunspot(?) thing is a little disturbing.After a remarkable Sept,we are now in a Nov pattern,in fact I have to remind myself over and over that this is NOT November!
Since December 2007 we have not had 1 month with above normal highs.It's not that it's unusual to see frost now but WOW!,so many cold days this early.It really has been like Nov here in S.E. Iowa/midwest.
With the combo of a sustained cold weather pattern and El Nino,this is going to be a wild winter! Someone is going to get absolutely bombed with cold/SNOWY weather! Probably me?

We all know living in colder zones our tropicals won't last until X-mas.
The last few years frost has been late in Oct/early Nov but the forecast here is for frost and well likely freeze over and extended period the next 4 days or so,I don't ever remember such an early/long spell of cold and all the rain we are getting doesn't help either.I think I will post some pics of the damage this year(I normally wouldn't post pics of the ugly stuff,(-;)maybe it will help with the grieving process?

Tomorrow I will dig up my I.C. banana(so it doesn't turn to ice cream!)and I guess it's time to say good bye(until next year)to Cannas,Calaidiums,Bananas,E.ears,etc and last but not least,those monster Castor beans that exceeded all expectations and reached 13' this year.R.I.P. until next year.
After this weekend,it's just me and the palms/cactus.You gotta love cold hardy (cactus/palms)gardening!

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 2:52 pm

Jim,

Yep. This has been a ugly cold rainy Oct. It doesn't look any warmer soon either. In fact snow flurries. and 28* Sunday morning

Hoofing the Queens in tomorrow. UGH!!

I already have everything else in but need lots of help for these guys.

How many days till spring?

Mark

cedardave · Post by **cedardave** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 2:58 pm

Well....in Winnipeg today its below zero and snowing.....I hope this isnt a sign the winter will be terrible. I spent all day yesterday bringing palms and bananas in the house.

macario · Post by **macario** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 3:57 pm

Thats crazy I heard low 40's tonight frost in the burbs. I guess its time to bring stuff in also.

ScottyON · Post by **ScottyON** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 4:06 pm

This sucks! It hasn't been as cold in S Ontario but I think your weather from out west is headed our way. We may have snow fluries next Thursday. Temps are going down to the mid 30's with lows at night around 30. Frost for sure. It has rained alot here too. My Musa Basjoo looks like crap. The leaves are starting to fall a bit here and there so I am going to gather some up this weekend and cover my bananna and couple of sables I have. This sucks! I think there are about 161 days left till spring. Give or take a few..lol

ronbruce · Post by **ronbruce** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 8:51 pm

I brought in a lot of plants for our overnight low tonight of -5C/23F. Here we go.

ronbruce · Post by **ronbruce** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 7:25 am

Oh great, it went to -8C/18F instead and the sun is just rising.

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 8:42 am

Well, 33F last night,nothing looks to bad yet.One more night of freezing weather-weatherunderground says 22F and weather.com says 26F we shall see,as of now the Castors and bananas look fine,even the EE's but 26F will finish it all off,at least I know what I will be doing tomorrow if it does get that cold,maybe I should dig up my I.C. banana? I mid 20s may freeze the stem.

Yea Mark,I was just looking at the 10day forecast,not to great.It sure would be a drag to lose Oct,it's such a good month for the Trachys-

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 8:53 am

Well it looks like I'll be pretty close to frost this Wednesday they say 35 we'll see. I just ordered two gallons of freeze-proof so I hope it gets here in time so I can apply some. If I get by Wednesday it looks clear for a little while at least. Like Jim said at least we'll have are palms to look at for awhile.

Bill

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 9:31 am

Yea Bill,like we were talking about the other day-it makes it easier to get around in the garden!
Tonght should be brutal,I am starting to realize that I need to actually protect a few things with low to mid 20s possible-Tetrapanex,Washy and I will throw a cover(trash can)over my Butia and cover the A.americana

macario · Post by **macario** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 2:32 pm

Its definatley a good idea to cover stuff up now before they get to water logged from all the rain. Luckily it was just in the 40's last night but Im bring things in early just be on the safe side. Good luck guys

ScottyON · Post by **ScottyON** » Sun Oct 11, 2009 6:00 pm

We have our first frost warning tonight. Going down to 33. Last night was chilly too. Went down to 37. In side my palm shelter at 8:00 am this morning without the heat on it was 58!! I think it's working well!

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Sun Oct 11, 2009 6:42 pm

Still 50 at 9:40 pm here hope the cold stalled enough to get me through. Got most none hardy stuff covered anyways, I just don't want to lose my nanas quite yet. 35-36 for lows tonight, I have my fingers crossed.

Bill