Mike, as with some others, people try to associate the weather to how their gardens grow, including how the grass grows. All our plants grow in soil....not in the air. While the ambient weather in any local environment has a bearing on how our plants grow, its because the weather improves over long periods which can then, affect soil temperature. Because you have a warm spell in January...let's call it, the January thaw...when temperatures might go up and up...and make us believe spring is around the corner. Unfortunately, the deep freeze returns and we are reminded that Ma Nature can be cruel to us gardeners. You wouldn't think to go out and plant spring plants during this spell...then it follows we shouldn't plant when a warm day arrives in the fall when its just as likely to fall into the deep freeze...snow is always around the corner. Plants don't grow in a day...so a nice 70's 80's even, does not suggest that the next day might be in the 40's or lower. Down the road is how we must assume how temperatures behave and for that reason, we do let our plants go into dormancy...and while our lawns are not usually thought to go into dormancy, they nevertheless go to sleep until awakened in the spring with multiple days of warmth to encourage the soil temperature goes up and makes grass seed, grass growing, viable. Dont' think today....nor tomorrow, think next week, next month...and you wont confuse soil temperature with air temperature.

And Hi to you, prariemoon Talk about inspiration! Your use of the pots and saucers is ingenious; I would never have thought of it. With your permission, I'm going to borrow your idea; I have some similar pots (no matching saucers but I'll rig up something). Birdbaths I've used in the past (which the birds actually used for bathing!) seemed too deep for the little ones. So I cleaned up some rocks and placed them strategically in the birdbath; gave them something to land on without fear of falling in deep water. i keep the traditional hanging feeders filled with black oil sunflower seed and safflower seed, assuming only the cardinals would be attracted. As a special treat, I'll sometimes add some peanut hearts and shelled sunflowers. The feeders designed for woodpeckers are filled with a mix specifically designed for them. (This is the one premixed product I do buy and the woodpeckers love it.) I usually add some crushed peanuts to it. Of course, the titmice, chickadees, mockingbird and blue jays get their turns at it too. For the sparrows, I put white millet in the platform feeders. Finally, I have a thistle seed sock hanging out for the goldfinches. Unfortunately, it seems no one has informed the various birds what they 'like' and 'should' be eating. My cardinals often gorge on the millet while the sparrows and goldfinches can be found more often than not at the platform feeders! As imposing as the grackles appear, they're usually well mannered, allowing the smaller birds equal time at the platform feeders. And occasionally, a cute little wren will venture to a feeder, take a few pecks, realize that the millet is not insects and quickly leave. And then, there are the doves. Ah yes... They will eat anything. As big as they are, a few have impossibly turned into acrobats, hanging nearly upside down to get at one of the hanging feeders. And they're the only bird that has shown any aggression, always at other doves.. The hummers are the true acrobats; have seen three at the same time and assuming that's all there are... hope I'll attract more next year. Apologies for being long winded ...can't seem to learn any other way. gary

Hello Natalie and welcome to roses! Although it is colder where you are, I believe you may at least be similar to me. If your plants shut down and go dormant during winter I wouldn't fertilize. If you fertilize now and it gets too cold, that could definitely cause problems (dieback). What are your winters like? Dry fertilizer only works if watered so it is released to the soil. If the plants don't get a lot of water (something I'm guilty of in winter) it is at the very least a waste of money. In my zone, it is recommended to fertilize with liquid fertilizer through the winter because the plants never go fully dormant, in fact if I don't fertilize in winter, my flowers will be far fewer in spring. Also need this method because there is less rain and I tend to water less winter. We avoid fertilizing in July and August, which are our harshest months. Fertilizer, overall, is not good during temperature extremes, whether cold or hot. It is possible you are a more definite combination of hot and cold weather than where I live.

Chelated iron is a soil amendment (not a fertilizer) that acidifies the soil and prevents the leaves from turning yellow except for the leaf veins that remains green. It is usually needed where the soil is alkaline. Sounds like your plant is busy developing a root system and you therefore not see much growth above the ground. In Michigan, the end of the growing season approaches so I would not take any action now. Hydrangeas do not react much if you add fertilizers. If your soil is not deficient in minerals, they can live without fertilizers if you just maintain them mulched and, in some years, add some composted manure. Watch out with some MG formulations. They contain 30% nitrogen, which is high and encourages leaf growth and little bloom development. Hydrangeas like their soil to be evenly moist. No periods of dry, followed by wet and then back to periods of dry. So take appropriate action. If the soil feels dry when you insert a finger to a depth of 4" then you need to water. But do not overdo it and have the soil soggy wet(unless you just watered).