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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

Snow today, gone tomorrow


It was here one day and gone the next! That is okay - it was beautiful while it lasted. A reader was telling me that she had not seen her ground for two weeks because of snow. I know that it can get old. It was strange though seeing everything covered in white yesterday morning and all gone by the afternoon.

I said in the previous post that I did not want to get out in it. I changed my mind and did venture out briefly to take more photos. It was a very sunny morning and so beautiful but very cold. The snow was melting fast and falling from the trees in heavy thuds. From inside the house, it sounded like gunshots. 

Believe it or not, next week we are supposed to have temperatures in the 70s! Typical weather for the south.

Now that snow is out of our system (that doesn't mean we can get more), I am ready for spring and thoughts are returning to gardening. I hope to get some vegetable seeds planted this weekend. 

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy 














Comments

  1. Yep. Tired of it. I hope our snow goes away tomorrow or possibly Sunday. There is hope anyway.

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  2. You captured a lot of beautiful vignettes in your garden! Snow does have a magical effect on the landscape but I think I am glad we only get it in occasional doses.

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  3. Phillip, those are wonderful photos. The contrast between the evergreen plants and the snow makes the pictures more colorful and also seems to accent the extremes between green and growing and cold and frozen. In my garden everything has died back so my photos all look black and white.

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  4. Your Mahonia seemed to have earned it's keep, determined to bloom no matter what. It's wonderful scent must have encouraged you to take the pictures despite the chill.

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  5. I'll check back later, right now I'm only seeing the second picture, all others are a minus sign.

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  6. They are lovely photo's .....

    All the best Jan

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  7. Well, I know you aren't used to it, but I have to admit that it was a pretty snow! Now multiply that by day after day after day, and you'll see my dilemma. Boring! I'm so over the snow! But I enjoyed looking at yours----from afar!

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  8. Sure, you get the beautiful fluffy snow, we got the coating of ice.

    *envy*

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