Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Go for it #2

Another great day to do some outside work.

It made it to 45 degres. Pick up fallen branches. If it stays dry, mow up the leaves on the lawn or rack into the flower beds.

Prune all tree fruits and berries.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Go for it!

While the weather lasts and we have some time off..... do the tree fruit pruning, prune the blueberries, raspberries and blackberries.

Continue with the garden clean up. Pull old plant materials, then cover with as mulch much materials as possible.

Go skiing, take a short trip, go to the beach!!!!

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Plant and pipe alert!

The temps have dropped below 32 again. Be aware of plant and pipe freezing.

Mulch tender plants, congregate potted plants together and mulch.

Turn on water and let the faucets drip. So much for the recovering cabbage and cole crops. :)

Merry Pre Christmas and Merry Christmas.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Holidays

During the next few days, take time to spent time with your family near and far away.

Give thanks for the bountious gardens which we had this year.

Enjoy the weather, family and friends.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Clean up garden space

If the weather holds, get out and do the final garden clean up.
Pull old plants, put plant materials into compost piles.
Do one last roto-tilling.
cover garden with leaf mulch, compost or clean straw.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Chilling again? Watch for Freezing Pipes Again!

Chilling again? Watch for Freezing Pipes Again!

Friday December 18

Showers over the front half of the weekend, with a more organized storm moving in by late Sunday into Monday. BREEZY.

Colder air to swing in behind the system that arrives late Sunday. -> Snow levels will drop rapidly, approaching sea level IF the push of Arctic air shifts just a tad more to the west. However, per usual, cold front may not carry much moisture. Looks very chilly, but drier, for Tues into Christmas Eve for the PNW. Not as cold as last event, but still WELL BELOW freezing at night as Christmas approaches. Freezing fog possible in places.

By Christmas, it should be dry in the PNW, as the action will have shifted to the mid-west and, unfortunately for them (and travelers), the storm coming out of the west / Rockies on Monday could really mess up pre-Christmas travel.

http://ovs.com/weather_cafe.htm

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Water Needed

Yes, plants that are under the eave of the house, right about now will need watering. In the next few days, water the plants under the eaves. Due to the cold water, a lot of leaf moisture was removed due to wind and freeze drying.

Then drain the hoses and store.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Gardens and wetness

Some of the cole crops and cabbage are STILL coming back. The Romanesco burned bad. Most of the leafy veges are gone.

Garlic still looks OK.

Now watch for TOO wet of soil. Dig small ditches to keep the water moving, if needed.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Garden - what now?

As the weather changes back to normal (?), in the next days few check out the potential damage in the garden. Within a couple of days after the temps rise above 32, we will be able to see if any of the cole crops have survived.

Two choices, let the plants try and regrow or if they are frozen, put them into a compost pile.

Yesterday, I actualy saw the centers of a chard and cabbage plant, still NOT frozen.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Broken pipes

Water pipes are braking all over Lane County tonight (12/10). Turn on faucets ASAP.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Cold for two more days

Weather report cold temps for two more days, then icey rain.

If you have any veges that are still edible, cover with plastic or tarp for some protection from the ice.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Plants going to suffer

With temps dropping to 8 degrees, most of the plants outside are going to suffer and get freeze burn--too cold. Most veges in the winter garden will probably freeze but time will tell. Again mulch and leaves are great protectors.

If not already done, mulch around roses, blueberries, and strawberries. The ground has frozen 1 inch and each day it is below 32, the ground will freeze more. Cover the ground around plants with as much leaves or straw as possible.

Pots that are outside have ALREADY frozen solid, event the 2-5 gallons pots. Place in a warmer area, protected, garage, greeenhouse or mulch and over with a tarp.

Make sure the house vents are covered, at least until the weather warms above 32. To prevent pipes in the house, near the well or in greenhouses, let the faucet do a "slow" drip. As long as water is flowing, the pipes won't freeze. Let the faucet furtherest from the water source drip.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Colder weather coming

Cold weather is coming. Next week will have temps as low as 17 degrees. Get hoses that are rolled empty of water. Cover air vents of the house for the next week to keep the pipes warmer. Make sure all water pipes are protected, especially faucets outside.

Put lots of leaves around roses and plants that are more sensitive to cold weather. Fortunately the real cold, below 20 is only a few days.

Leafy veges will usually suffer from the temps around 17. Harvest them and then cover with leaves or straw.

Cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower should be OK but they can be harvested and stored in a dry, cool area.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Temps

Last night is was down between 27-24 degrees.

Better cover the leafy vegetables, but it may be too late.

Covering plants with Remay or even plastic does offer some protection.

The gardening season may be cut short this winter.