A cold Spring

Last night's overnight low temperature was 30°F. (-1.11° C.). Tonight and tomorrow night are going to be even a few degrees colder. Our last frost date is early May, so these temps aren't that surprising. But April began with unseasonably warm days that pushed the garden quickly into overdrive.

Last year my Martagon lilies, among other plants, never flowered due to frost kill. This time I am not taking any chances. Peonies, lilies, and assorted new shrubs all got covered.

The garden is a crazy assortment of bags, bins and sheets! The question is: Will it kill things to leave them covered all day since it's going to be cloudy and only get up to the low 40°F.? Can't decided if I want to chance it.

But it is a chore to cover and uncover all these plants for three days running. Ugh.

Comments

[Barbara H.]

What a pain! But shriveled up leaves hurt, too. Good luck in whatever way you handle it. We are back into a night in the low 30s coming up - disgusting.

[Jacques C. Thompson]

I think the problem with leaving the covers on is the build-up of moisture inside the covering and then the next nights drop freezes this excessive moisture. I'm placing encircling wire (hardware cloth) that I use to keep rabbits from eating my smaller woody plants during the winter months, around plants I'm hoping to protect and then filling these enclosures with dry oak leaves, completely burying delicate plants, i.e. Lilies, Arisaemas, Dysosmas,even small Asian Maples that have already leafed out. We'll see, it's been snowing most of the day going down to the upper 20's and even colder tomorrow night. My hope is the leaves trap the heat but allow excess moisture to evaporate out.

[Kris P]

I've heard April referred to as the cruelest month, Linda, presumably for just the circumstances you're experiencing. I hope conditions become more stable soon.

[Christine]

Your draped yard is looking a little bit Halloweenish! Out here in the PNW we have been having summer like weather. We’ve even had dinner outside, which is unusual for April. But there is always the lingering (and irrational guilt trip) thought that we may pay for this by having a cool, rainy May and June. Time will tell.

[danger garden]

I know that questioning feeling! It's not one I've had late in the season, but one I encounter when covering things in the winter and the daytime highs inch up above freezing. In that situation the decision is made for me many times, due to ice or snow covering the covering. Hoping for the best possible outcome for you!

[Beth@PlantPostings]

Ya, I left the covers on all day today, too (and yesterday for the peonies and a few other things). I figure it's like being covered with a heavy snowfall. Most plants that were uncovered seem OK. The bleeding hearts have surprised me, because other years when we've had late frosts they collapsed and then popped back up. I'm a little worried about the redbud buds and the crabapples, too. It will be nice to get over this cold hump. Hopefully, this will be the last of the spring "freezes." Fingers crossed.