Same old, same old

We are definitely experiencing a return to an old-fashioned winter. Though it didn't seriously get started until the new year, it's been on and off, high and low, rain and snow almost continually. Luckily those chilling Polar Vortex temperatures came while we still had deep snow cover in the garden. I'd guess it was at least a foot deep. But once that cold moved on we got temps in the mid-40s and rain. So the snow is only a couple of inches deep at this point.

Now we're into a mix of alternating freezing rain and snow. But that combination has the garden looking lovely and we have not lost power or had any trees come down which were both possibilities in yesterday's forecast. Luckily there's very little need to travel anywhere for the next few days. 

Compare the amount of snow on the bench in the views above and below to see how the snow cover has changed. The picture below was taken on January 28 and we had another storm just a couple of days later. 

So the sudden loss of snow cover is more extreme than I'd prefer since we have a long way to go before Spring arrives. I definitely don't want to go through the wide-spread loss of plants, trees and shrubs that we experienced last year. I'm sitting tight and trying to get used to these constant swings in the weather — and my mood!

Comments

[Loree / danger garden]

While there's still snow in places on the ground here most of it is gone (high of 39 yesterday) BUT we're looking at a crazy forecast of possibly epic amounts over the weekend and into next week. Or maybe not. It might just hit the Seattle area (sorry Peter). Talk about mood swings. I'm not sure what to prepare for.

[Linda Brazill]

I'm sure non-gardeners just worry about roads or maybe power outages while we are going bonkers looking out the window at how much plants are covered or weighed down or iced over. Hard not to be held hostage by the weather when one is a serious gardener.

[Kris P]

The concept of a snow blanket as protection is foreign to me other than in concept. In any case, I hope yours hangs on long enough to provide adequate protection. How thick should it be to accomplish that?

[Linda Brazill]

How thick is a good question. I am not really sure. I assume a few inches of snow will help but up to a foot is ideal. The big problem is temperature changes which can cause the ground to freeze/thaw and heave plants right out. So you want enough snow to keep it all frozen even if the temps start to go up. We just had a few minutes of freezing rain and now everything is coated with a dangerous amount of heavy wet snow/ice mix.

[jenny]

These swings in the weather are very worrying for the gardener. Lack of snow cover is a problem when arctic winds arrive. Years ago when I gardened in Quebec and Ontario I never had to worry about the plants. I gardened in my own zone. Now I am gardening in everyone else's zone and the weather swings are really driving me crazy. We went from high 70s yesterday to 30s tonight. Blankets are out again and plants have been moved. When will I learn.

[Peter/Outlaw]

The bipolar weather patterns this year do tend to wear on one's nerves. As Loree said, up this way, they're predicting more snow for Friday - Monday. (A foot in some areas.) Snow by itself can be a delight but, once again, it'll be coming in sideways on strong winds & cold temperatures. It's hard to believe that spring is only 22 days away.

[Lisa at Greenbow]

I feel your pain. Yesterday it was 60F and it rained all day. I emptied 4.5" from the rain gauge. Flooding is the problem here. Even in our garden there are areas of standing water. Of course the ground was still frozen so the water didn't drain away very good before the cold front came barreling through. It is still windy and cold today having dropped down to 18F with the wind chill being 3F. All I can do is grin and bear it. It is what it is. Like you I am wondering what this will do to all the plants in our garden. No snow here at all to protect them.

[Linda Brazill]

We had bad freezing rain yesterday, lots of power outages but luckily not at my house. Everything is still glittering this morning and we are in for more cold weather. I hate not having a real winter but then I don't think I like the real thing anymore either!

[Linda Brazill]

I am always amazed to realize how many wildly different climates you've gardened in. And now, wherever we live, it is hard to tell what climate it is and what to prepared for!

[Erin]

I'm right there with you. I'm just holding my breath to see the damage that this winter will do on the garden. I still haven't replaced everything I lost last year.

[Frank]

There was a lot of excitement around here during that last spell of warm weather, but I for one was not entirely pleased. Like you say, the ground is bare and exposed, and my mood went up only to be followed by another crash when the cold returned. A solidly cold winter is far less stressful!