In the quiet time of winter

January is best left to Old Man Winter and dreams of summer bounty. It has been a tough winter thus far, and only time will tell which treasures survived our sub-freezing temps and which ones did not.

Most plants selected for our zone (7a/b across the metro area, north to south) are not extremely tolerant below 24º. We've had a few dip lower this year. But, the good news is, most of those happened following a covering of snow, which acts like an insulator, unlike conditions outlined in my earlier comments this winter about the devastating effects of cold and wind combined.

January is a great time to force bulbs like paperwhites and hyacinth. They add a heady fragrance to the doldrums of winter. I have started an amaryllis (a little late, but hoping for success!) I'm posting a photo from the Conservatory at Centennial Park in Seattle (July2010) to keep you enthused...my own experiment did not produce a flower, but a lot of new growth. My conclusion is I need more sun...so there is hope yet!

If we get a mild day (and we surely will!) in the next few weeks, go out and poke around, looking for signs of life and greenery. And be thinking of what you want to add to the garden this year. Something I've learned from the nursery business over the past few years - the best stock is available in March. If there is something specific you want, you need to be sure to get it before it is gone...

Stay Warm!
Lyn

Recycling old electronics

Did Santa bring you a fancy new gadget or TV for Christmas? If you need to dispose of some other old electronics, here is your opportunity:

The Credit Union of Georgia is sponsoring an Electronics Recycling Day to be held at the KSU Center located at 3333 Busbee Drive, Kennesaw on Saturday, January 29th from 9am - 1pm.  Bring your non-working or unused electronics to the KSU Branch of the Credit Union of Georgia and a truck will be located in the south parking area to accept your items. A $10 fee will apply for disposal of CRT TVs per TV. Visit the website for more details...

www.CUofGA.org

Frost protection measures

Here are ways to protect your tender plants from frost:

1) Water thoroughly before dusk. Watering provides insulation in the root system, when it dries it is displaced with air, which is also an insulator.
2) Cover before the sun goes down. Use the day's sun (and heat) by trapping it around your plant(s). A number of covering options exist:
   * Milk Jugs with the bottom cut off   * Old sheets draped over the top   * Create a teepee with sticks and wrap damp newspaper or towels around it.
3) Elevate your pots in a protected area. Frost is going to settle in the lowest places.
4) Paint your jugs or bottles black and fill with water. Place them around the plant and the heat they absorb during the day will translocate to keep the plant warm overnight.
5) Bring them inside! Obviously doesn't work for all plants...but I bring my Mandevilla in every winter to the garage and water it lightly once a week or so. Three years later it is still blooming for me in summer.

To get your plants Winter-hardy, stop fertilizing in September, and get your winter crops in by early October to establish a good root system early.

In the garden,
Lyn

Frosty morning to you!

Earlier this week, when I was dreading the coming frost, I came across this beautiful bit of writing from Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The American Notebooks". It changed my whole outlook...

"Last night, there came a frost, which has done great damage to my garden...It is sad that Nature will play such tricks on us poor mortals, inviting us with sunny smiles to confide in her, and then, when we are entirely within her power, striking us to the heart."

You who have a connection to your gardens will relate, I'm sure.

Awed by nature,
Lyn