Gardening

Siwsan

(27,352 posts) Fri Apr 23, 2021, 11:36 AM Apr 2021

I was VERY worried that 2 nights worth of freezing temps would destroy my blooms

It definitely damaged some, leaving the stems in a stage of 'droop', but many have recovered. These are growing beneath the boughs of a pine tree. Maybe that helped. I didn't risk any damage to the Bleeding Hearts and Narcissus so I covered them. I think the Narcissus will bloom, this weekend, and of course I'll share some photos.

For now, some of the Tulips:

8 replies

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I was VERY worried that 2 nights worth of freezing temps would destroy my blooms (Original Post) Siwsan Apr 2021 OP

I understand we had two nights of freezing weather Sherman A1 Apr 2021 #1

I'm wondering about the fruit trees Siwsan Apr 2021 #2

it's more about pollination/fruit mopinko Apr 2021 #4

To my untrained eye, it appears the flowers are ok. Siwsan Apr 2021 #5

Last year my Japanese Red Maples were out in leaf doc03 Apr 2021 #3

Japanese maples are SO sensitive to cold temps. zeusdogmom Apr 2021 #6

So far I think the snow cover saved my trees from doc03 Apr 2021 #7

Snow cover makes a great blanket for plants zeusdogmom Apr 2021 #8

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)

1. I understand we had two nights of freezing weather

Reply to Siwsan (Original post)

Fri Apr 23, 2021, 11:42 AM

Apr 2021

I spent several uncomfortable hours outside on Tuesday covering plants with a bunch of tarps that I had picked up from Harbor Freight . Zip tied them to the chainlink fence and then to some portable work stands to support them on the outside of the garden. We places 3 box fans bungee corded to milk crates blowing upwards underneath our lilacs bushes to keep the frost off of them. Buckets, tomato cages, storage totes, trash cans, bbq pit cover, trash bags were all pressed into service. I think we saved most everything, but it was a rough two days.

Siwsan

(27,352 posts)

2. I'm wondering about the fruit trees

Reply to Sherman A1 (Reply #1)

Fri Apr 23, 2021, 11:59 AM

Apr 2021

My plum and pear trees are in bloom, and the crabapple is about to bloom. The blossoms look ok, but I have NO idea when the 'trigger point' in growth makes them in danger of damage to such cold temps. We didn't get any frost, if that makes a difference.

mopinko

(71,965 posts)

4. it's more about pollination/fruit

Reply to Siwsan (Reply #2)

Fri Apr 23, 2021, 12:31 PM

Apr 2021

the trees will be fine, but it could kill the flowers and keep the pollinators away.

Siwsan

(27,352 posts)

5. To my untrained eye, it appears the flowers are ok.

Reply to mopinko (Reply #4)

Fri Apr 23, 2021, 12:35 PM

Apr 2021

This has reminded me about how hardy Daffodils are, though. Most are past their bloom, but the late one never flinched. No drooping, no discoloration, nothing.

doc03

(36,964 posts)

3. Last year my Japanese Red Maples were out in leaf

Reply to Siwsan (Original post)

Fri Apr 23, 2021, 12:16 PM

Apr 2021

when we had a hard freeze. The leaves fell off but the new ones were sparse and sickly looking. I hope that doesn't happen again this year.

zeusdogmom

(1,054 posts)

6. Japanese maples are SO sensitive to cold temps.

Reply to doc03 (Reply #3)

Fri Apr 23, 2021, 12:59 PM

Apr 2021

One of the main reasons I avoid them even though I love the way they look. Spring in Ohio has been hit with episodes of unseasonable cold temps for the past several years. Fall seems to be getting longer but spring? Mother Nature is really irritable in April and May.

That being said my tulips are looking happy again. Used frost cover on the garden beds I had planted - all good. The couple of inches of wet snow was the real (unwanted) surprise.

doc03

(36,964 posts)

7. So far I think the snow cover saved my trees from

Reply to zeusdogmom (Reply #6)

Fri Apr 23, 2021, 01:09 PM

Apr 2021

freezing. I had tulips one year. They came out in beautiful bloom then the next morning all the flowers had been eaten by deer.

zeusdogmom

(1,054 posts)

8. Snow cover makes a great blanket for plants

Reply to Siwsan (Original post)

Fri Apr 23, 2021, 03:31 PM

Apr 2021

Tulips are deer candy. My big problem has been the fluffy tailed tree rodents (squirrels) and chipmunks who would eat the bulbs after I planted them. Last fall I had a huge amount of small garlic bulbs in addition to my normal nice sized ones. So I planted the little heads of garlic in and around the tulips. The little critters left the bulbs alone so I have beautiful tulips! The deer haven’t eaten them either ... yet

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