Week 43 recap + 44 plans

Currently, the outside temperature is 33 degrees Fahrenheit, with a forecast for the first freeze below 32 degrees. The temperature will drop to freezing as the morning sun rises. I am writing this anxiously and curious how it will affect my garden. I’ve never paid much attention nor prepared like this for a freeze. Gardening has a funny way of directing your attention. There is a difference between frost and freeze. A frost depicted all over seed packets, plant instructions, and culture sheets typically marks the beginning and end of a gardening season. The last frost is the beginning of the season, and the first frost ends the season. Most flowers can not survive freezing temperatures, blooms wilt, and leaves brown. A frost can occur when the temperature drops below 36 degrees, and moisture emerges from the plant freezing on the surface. A freeze occurs when the temperature drops below 32 degrees. A freeze can occur without frost. Many plants can survive a light freeze of less than 5 hours. Regardless, when you hear of freezing temperatures in the forecast, you will want to take extra precautions and prepare your garden for the winter weather to come.

It’s hard to believe we hit 87 earlier in the week, and now we are looking at four consecutive days of lows below freezing. I took extra precautions this season, covering hardy annual seedlings in the farm row with frost cloth. I covered all the chrysanthemum buds I could, keeping the frost cloth off the budding flowers. Some plants were too big and cumbersome to cover. I harvested budding roses, open dahlias, and the last of the colorful cosmos. I prepared my potted tropical plants to bring inside, along with a potted dahlia. As a kid, our dogs were not allowed indoors unless we hit extreme freezing temperatures. I remember the excitement when we would barricade our cocker spaniel in the kitchen for the night. I feel that same excitement bringing my potted dahlia inside. She feels like a pet and part of the family. I plan to take her back outside once the temperature warms up. Fortunately, our weather fluctuates so much this is not the start of a long, cold winter. We still have warm and sunny days ahead.

Week 43 recap:

• Planted lupin and snapdragon seedlings.
• Potted up dianthus, foxglove, and scabiosa seedlings.
• Brought potted tropical plants indoors.
• Covered chrysanthemums and farm row seedlings.
• Disconnected water hose connections.

Plans for week 44:

• Tie up climbing rose.
• Start viola and sweat pea seeds.
• Re-pot corn silk plant.
• Photograph last harvest flowers.

Week 43 blooms:

• Amaranth
• Celosia
• Cosmos
• Dahlia
• Globe Amaranth
• Marigold
• Pampas Plumes
• Roses

I felt a sense of urgency and dread at the first presence of freezing temperatures in my forecast. Still, a frost can also be a welcomed sight of relief.