Skip to main content

Featured

A Closer Look at Winter Damage

But first, take a look at this gorgeous rainbow that we had on Friday! The five-day stretch of warm temperatures last week really jump-started the garden. Now that plants are putting out new growth, it is easier to see what kind of damage the winter left. Back in mid-January, we experienced five straight days of below-freezing temperatures. This caused much damage in Portland and areas where frigid winds were a factor. Here, we were fortunate to not get the wind and the cold temperatures were dampened by a blanket of snow. That said, it was a tough time for the garden and there are noticeable casualties but no outright deaths that I have seen. The bottlebrush ( Callistemon 'Woodlander's Red') did not like the cold at all. It was planted six years ago, in the north-facing garden no less, and I've not experienced die-back on it until now. A local expert said to cut it all the way back so that is what I did. If it doesn't make it, I won't be too distraught. It is

Spring is coming!



The daffodils are emerging despite the frigid temperatures we've been having. Last night is got down to 15. A warming trend is on the way though and it is supposed to get close to 70 this weekend. I used to worry when I saw daffodils coming up out of the ground like this but I've learned that it is just what they do. The cold temperatures do not seem to harm them or affect their growth. In a month or so, we should have yellow daffodils all over the garden.

Comments

  1. The same stuff is coming up here. the daffodils and the hyacinths are emerging. I've even seen some tulips beginning to rise. The warming trend is supposed to be with us for a few days. I hope that it doesn't end up being an early spring with a late frost. That wouldn't be fun to go through again.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This looks like a fresh breath of spring to me Phillip. Our daffs are still under about 6" of snow. Hopefully that warm front will come through soon to melt the snow so I can see some signs of spring.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dave, when I woke up this morning, it was -2 degrees. It's the afternoon and it's risen to 9 degrees. There is no way you can convince me Spring is coming. There's 10" of snow on the ground. Spring is a far-off illusion. You high-zoners have it pretty good.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your garden will be filled with yellow in no time!

    ReplyDelete
  5. That's a sight to cheer the frozen heart. Daffodils are pretty darn tough. They can even get snowed on when they're in bloom. It looks like you won't have to wait very long now.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sure sign that Spring is near! YIPPEE!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm so excited!!!! We can work on the shed this weekend--woo hoo and I can finish putting down the leaf mulch. My supplier for the mulch-which is our city--won't let you go back to get it when it's so wet. Now I can finish preparing the beds. Did I say I was excited?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Phillip, same for us too, hooray! It has seemed like way too many days in a row without being able to even walk around outside, even though it was 60 last sunday. Anyway, those daffs are not turning back now. I love when you can see the buds in with the foliage, that's big!

    Frances

    ReplyDelete
  9. They sure do look promising! It'll be great to see them in bloom!

    ReplyDelete
  10. My daffodils look about like yours, but thank goodness my the temperatures here don't resemble yours. Though it is cold here, we will not go below 22 tonight -according to the weather guys.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ohio is weeks and weeks away from daffodils. Your photo is a wonderful glimpse of what's to come, however. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Phillip,
    I think so too....today I had my first two daffodil buds open up into full bloom despite the sharp cold snap of the last two nights. What a welcome sight for my tired eyes! This weekend should be in the 70s here and my to do list should get lots of lines crossed off.

    Jon at Mississippi Garden

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank goodness! I am ready for it...Maybe after the warm weather this weekend we will see crocus blooming. You will have the first crocus, but we won't be far behind! gail

    ReplyDelete
  14. YAY! IT IS COMING! Let's celebrate it!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Our daffodils are at around the same stage. I can't wait until they bloom!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Spring is coming sooner to your house that to mine;) We still have a foot of snow pack here--some will melt this weekend. I am starved for some green!
    Marnie

    ReplyDelete
  17. Daffs and 70? I’m envious. It might hit 40 today, but the closest we are to spring would be melting snow. It was nice to get a glimpse of spring from you. That empty nest with berries in the post below looks like a Christmas ornament – how lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi Phillip,
    That's fantastic:) Your weather is a bit warmer than ours:( Spring will be here officially in a little over a month; hard to believe! Looks like yours is already here!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. No daffodils here! Maybe in another 6 weeks!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts