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

Don't Miss It! This Saturday, Oct 23

Down-to-earth and witty, humorous writer, Renea Winchester is signing her book at the farm where the story unfolded. And you don't have to have a green thumb to love her stories! YOU ARE INVITED TO Celebrate the gift of friendship and the release of "In The Garden With Billy: Lessons About Life, Love, and Tomatoes" by Renea Winchester Saturday, October 23, 2010 from 2- 4 pm at the home of Billy Albertson located at 525 Hardscrabble Road, Roswell GA 30075 Please email Renea at renea(dot)winchester@yahoo(dot)com to RSVP and receive parking instructions. (Also on FB, look up the title) Billy and Renea will be on hand to sign copies of the book. Copies are also available at www.littlecreekbooks.com, www.reneawinchester.com, Barnes and Noble, and independent bookstores everywhere. Copyright 2010 ISBN: 978-0-9843192-5-1 www.Littlecreekbooks.com Go. You'll be glad you did :-) Lyn

Make and Take a Rainbarrel home

Hey Folks,

Wouldn't it be great to start the Spring out with extra water on hand? We get the highest percentage of rain in the month of February in Georgia. If you have a rainbarrel, you could be ahead of the weatherman!

Make one for cheap this weekend - details here:

http://watershed.cobbcountyga.gov/files/rainbarrels.htm

And here's another site to give you the low-down on rainbarrel use -- like, 1/2 inch of rain on 1000 square feet of roof area will yield 300 gallons of water!

http://www.rainbarrelguide.com/

I don't know about you, but my water bill just went up about 20% last month. Adding a rainbarrel to your yard is a no-brainer.  Get out there a get one for yourself, and catch some free water!

Lyn