Out of My Element
As I mentioned in an earlier post about turbid water, Vancouver BC (and environs) has been subject to some serious weather lately. November brought us floods, then plenty o’snow, followed by a serious drop in temperature, more snow and now a big meltdown as the temperatures rise and the snow melts to be accompanied (apparently) by some more rain on the way. Egads. Now for those of you who think that all Canadians are subjected to the freezing temperatures and mounting snow come winter, I’ll tell you that we’re considered to be a zone 8a/8b kind place here on the West Coast.
When the snow first started falling I took pains to go and dig out some of my hardy herbs, I shoved snow off some of the smaller bushes and shrubs in the yard that were in danger of having branches broken off from the weight of the quite wet snow, and I dusted off my kale that was in danger of toppling over from the snow collecting on it. But, being quite unused to all this, I’m wondering what else I should do when faced with such wintery weather? Is it too late for me to protect things now? Is there anything I can do to make sure my plants will be happier if we have another dip below freezing this winter? I did put leaf mulch on top of my garlic beds, so perhaps that helped keep them a bit warmer? Advice from any of you experienced in cold climates would be most welcome. Here’s what I’ve got to take care of once the thaw completes:
- a number of rose bushes
- some himalayan poppies
- japanese anemone
- hydrangeas
- irisis
- azaleas
- lilac
- honeysuckle
- clematis
- winter jasmine
- bamboo
- hellebores
- and lots of bulbs resting in the ground
Any advice or good book recommendations would be most welcome. As I say, it may be too late, but if some action on my part can help these babies make it through the winter, I’m all game.
December 1st, 2006 at 2:00 pm
it looks to me like your list will be quite okay–
the hydrangeas, irises, azalea, honeysuckle, clematis, and hellebores all do fine through winter here (we usually get snow once a year, and every couple years a fairly heavy snow)
leaf mulch is great, and you can wrap your shrubs in bed sheets (just another excuse to hit up some thrift stores!)or burlap (super cheap and you can reuse it as a weed blocker for garden paths in the spring) if you want added protection.
ps–I’m so jealous of everyone’s snow. I want some here so I can curl up by the fireplace and daydream a couple of days away!
December 2nd, 2006 at 12:47 am
Emira,
I recently did some research on different frost-protection techniques from around the country, and I found some interesting ideas such as using bubble wrap and Christmas lights.
We just had what local news reporters love to refer to as an “arctic blast” here in Dallas. So the topic of protecting my tender plants has been fresh on my mind.
Here’s the complete article:
http://xylemandphloem.com/blog/2006/11/the_humbled_horticulturalist_8.html
December 3rd, 2006 at 2:00 pm
being a prairie girl, i do have to point out that even though it did snow heavily, it really wasn’t that cold, so most of your stuff will probably fine. even though it’s probably smart to knock the snow off of anything that might snap from its weight, snow is a surprisingly good insulator, and will protect a lot of plants from the colder temperatures. My freakishly late nasturtium and chives froze, but the snow protected a strawberry plant, parsley, and lavender, which look fine now that it has mostly melted off!
December 4th, 2006 at 3:57 am
popping in to say congrats in your placing in the canadian blog awards!!!! i placed to so thought i’d drop a note to all.
and how that i’m here…………whew, i’m glad to hear about snow insulating because i didn’t bother to knock it off my white sage!!! i’ve been afraid to as didn’t want to find my fave plants , gasp,dead!!!! i’ll wait for the snow to melt now (i’m still afraid though).