Finished uncovering everything today

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 2:41 pm

hilashes · Post by **hilashes** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 3:19 pm

Looks so great Jim, it must have been a good feeling to get your hands on everything again! I always enjoy looking at all your hard work! YAY Spring!

Heidi

TerdalFarm · Post by **TerdalFarm** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 5:28 pm

Jim,
those are phenomenal! I am so impressed.
Your winter has been so very cold, and for so long. Those are great results.
We'll all be asking you for tips come November.
--Erik

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 6:05 pm

Sorry about the aloifolia; maybe it's not a goner.
Where'd the Sequoia pic go?

Everything looks fabulous.

Can you just imagine how good it is for that soil to get some sun shining on it, beginning a warm up of roots

Hey, I think I see an imprint of Jim's lips on the soil in one of those pictures

Great job. Congrats!

It's almost time to shave your legs again, Jim

Barb

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 7:07 pm

lucky1 wrote:Sorry about the aloifolia; maybe it's not a goner.
Where'd the Sequoia pic go?

It's almost time to shave your legs again, Jim

Barb

How did you know that?

The Sequoia is picture #4

Hopefully the sun will be out enough tomorrow to warm the ground,with soil temps around 35 at the surface right now,the sun
makes a big difference this time of year.Pulling the mulch back is key.
A couple days near 60f will pull the surface temp up to 50f quickly!
The V,aloifolia may branch,we'll see.

TerdalFarm · Post by **TerdalFarm** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 8:00 pm

I saw the Sequoia. I haven't seen any around here. Growing up as I did on the west coast I wouldn't have even thought of giving them winter protection. Good thing you did!
Our soil temps are up to about 40oF (e.g., 38oF this morning!). Hoping you and I both get this south wind a while longer.
--Erik

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 8:53 pm

Odd, now the Sequoia pic is there

Its stem has doubled in thickness from a year ago.

I am really really surprised your stuff looks as good as it does.
You're pushing fronds!

When do you apply your first fertilizer?
Barb

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 8:02 am

Jim,
Looking really good! So are they out for good or our you just letting them air out a while?
I know you'll cover the cacti bed if it rains, I was referring to the palms.

Nice results!

Bill

serj · Post by **serj** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 8:22 am

Jim, take my congratulation! Everything looks fine!

serj · Post by **serj** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 8:24 am

Jim, what is the method did you use to protect your pindo palm?

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 3:48 pm

Serj,I covered it with 2 rubber trash cans and had it on the thermocube
my Washy was on-(on at 35f off at 45f).
C-9 X-mas lights inside

Erik
The sequoia should be able to make it when it's bigger,they produce more anti-freeze/sap as they age.
It will probably always have some damage in winter though.
The "warmest"soil temp I found was 47f in the cactus bed(4",the sand warms up fast in the sun),
coolest was 35f next to one of the Trachys that were not heated.
Some of the mulch pulled back in 3" thick clumps,I pull it back when it starts to warm up to
let the soil breathe/warm up.
It can take over a month or much longer for the soil to warm up if left covered with mulch.
After 1 day of uncovering/exposing the soil,temps went up on avg +4f at 4" and +2f at 8"
Not bad considering we had 3/4 sunshine and highs around 49f

Bill
They are basically out for good,I will cover them if rain/cold or snow/cold threatens
but just from moisture,they have seen worse cold then they will from here on out.
They are also very much cold programed now and if kept dry(crowns) they will be fine from here on out.
It's amazing how many blocks of ice and frozen soil you find after a winter like this,I keep pulling the mulch
back as the ground thaws-to a certain point.

Barb
I applied Epsom salts today in anticipation of rain this week.
Applying fertilizer is a waste until soil temps come up to at least +50f
or you see growth but that probably won't happen until the soil warms up.
The larger Sequoia I had in this spot last year died,I think I forgot to put enough mulch down and the ground froze
one of the times we had an Arctic outbreak when the ground was bare.
I moved my smaller one up to this spot last summer.
When I pulled the mulch back it was in huge clumps,frozen solid but the ground under it was 35f
it's up almost 4f today.
I will have to wait to see if it made it until it (hopefully)starts to grow-
but it has a lot of green left!