Last night was a "3 dog night" (remember the group from the 60's-70's). They got their name from the practice of indigenous Austrailians, who, on an extremely cold night, slept with 3 dogs for warmth.

Last night the beagle, pointer and lab were all in bed with us. And we didn't even have to ask them; it was their choice.

I'm looking at a WEEK of lows from 23 to 29.

Bill

I am with you on the 3 dog night.lol. Mine are very warm!

And let's hope that freeze pruf works or we are going to find out is another snake oil? :-)

Silvia

It got around 27 degrees this morning (According to yahoo weather) near the Gainesville, Florida area, even though the gainesville sun predicted as low as 17 or 18 degrees and other sites predicted it to be as low as 23.

For my least cold-hardy trees, I mulched around them with pine needles and wrapped the needles around with a sheet, around the base of the trees. We'll see how they took the cold after this weekend.

Tom, which island did Cath buy property on? I worked in Nassau for a couple of years and learned that "gardening" on a coral rock can be quite an adventure. The old timers did what they called "pothole gardens", putting a few plants in any depression that had gathered some organic matter. I used to go over to Potters Cay on Saturdays to buy produce from the out islands. cora

Trying hard to keep a promise I made to myself after spending the entire yr of 2004 in Boston: I'll never complain about a cold day in St Petersburg again!

I've slipped a couple of times in the past few days but I'll keep reminding myself. ;)

Lori-you need to get a space heater for your dad's room!

St.Pete-My cousin lives in Mich. and her cat likes to go out...sometimes in the snow. There are times when he just won't come in so he stays out overnight!

I still have bursts of heat in the night. Last night I could not cool down! I had the blankets thrown back and I could feel that it was very cool & it felt good.

On the positive side-the plants have had many cold days and nights and they will be able to handle the cold better...if (of course) they aren't already frozen.

I'm in N. Tampa and I see some damage on the bananas but the brugmansia are still ok...usually they are the first to go! Could I actually be in a *warm* pocket??

Hi Everyone, I'm officially cold!!!!

Tom and Sylvia, remember me? I've been enjoying your tomatoes this fall, and still have a few tomatoes on my plants, but after this week, I think they are done for.

I'm worried about my starfruit tree, ambarella and barbados cherry trees, all are fruiting and I have several unripe fruits on the trees, not sure what to do, should I pick them or not. i've covered them with a sheet since I can't bring their containers indoors.

Also worried about my blooming persian lime and my key lime trees, I really hope this cold snap ends soon, I don't like cold weather.

My new Key Lime tree is in bloom too. I'm hoping it's not 'done for'....like my coleous...and my cucumbers!

My neighborhood had a massive power outtage last night - for 3 1/2 hours! The power company has been outside my house since midnight last night re-doing the lines, the electric poles and I guess the grid.

At least I have power - and heat - right now!

Hi Leelee

I am glad that you had some tomatoes before the cold hit us.

Last year when we had the frost I had 2 star fruits, one of a better quality fruit than the other. The difference was that the one was recently planted, that was the one I lost. of course it was the best tasting one.

Now I have 2 again, the one planted in the spring I covered, it has small fruits also, they won't ripen unless they fully mature, so I left them on the tree. The other star fruit that would not die.lol only has covered the trunk.

If the limes are small maybe you can put a big garbage can on top...just an idea.

I also have the Barbados cherry from last year, not covered and did fine, it is kind of hardy. I don't know about the ambarella. Good luck for all of us! We are going to need it.

Saintpfla

It is scary to loose power in this weather, I am glad it got resolved for you and hope your plants survive the cold temperatures.

Silvia

Dont see no way out, ive got 18 heirloom tom plants over 6 ft tall setting in 45 gal pots on top of tables in my back yard. IM GROWING [WAS] big ZACS, MEXICO, DELICIOUS,BULL HEARTS, SIL SAUCER, GIANT BELGIUM, BIG ASS, [SEEDS FROM ROCHESTER] AND SEVERAL MORE, 12 DIFFERENT KINDS ive got at least 100 tomatoes bigger then greatfruit, im in Boynton Beach 3 miles from the ocean, Hoping n praying it dont come a hard freeze, Besides the money its the hrs and the work involved. And I was a little proud of em to. Oh well what was meant to be will be done.

So much for never. I've been in this house for fifteen years and have never had frost since I'm so close to the water. This morning when I left for work at 0500 I had to get out a credit card and scrape ice off the windshield. I think when I get home tonight I'll find my tomato seedlings are toast!

Tom

I went out last night and wrapped my tomatoes in old sheets, so will see how they came thru', yesterday I noticed my coleus had been scorched from the Mon. night cold, but every thing else was fine, so I ran the sprinklers last night to give them a good soaking....sally

Hard frost at my house in SW StLucieCounty. My thermometer says 28 degrees. Saw where NW Florida had a 16 degree reading at one of the outlying airports.

I only covered 3 tomatoes plants.

Feel for you SuddenSam, I did not have a good crop of tomatoes to lose and have seeds coming this week.

bernie

In Deleon Springs this morning, my car said it is 24.

Port St. John, Florida (N. Brevard county): 27 even at 7 a.m.

In my back yard in NW DeLand, 3 different themometers recorded 21 degrees around 7:45. The weather channel says it's 27. It was 27 at midnight. I don't see how I could be in a cold pocket, this is one of the highest spots around here. I guess I need to start planting like I was in zone 8.

john

Brrrrr!!! My heat pump in on the blink and the service guy can't get here until this afternoon. I guess I need to bake something.lol. To top it off I am having a bout of Diverticulitis, pain ouchy. Just thought I would share my misery.

Sharon,
Sorry to hear heat pump out and medical problems stewing.
Cooking bread is good for heat and nourishment. Jo Anne is doing is as I type and it smells great.

Everything in my garden is toast about except collards. Oh well good chance to get a clean slate.

stay warm,
bernie

This morning my bird baths were frozen solid. One of my co-workers who lives on the north side of Ocala said that the water in the canal behind his house had a thin sheet of ice on it early this morning. In Ocala on thursday/friday they're predicting rain but if it's as cold at night as they say it's going to be there's a good chance that the rain will turn to snow! This weather is just too cold for florida!

In my little microclimate here in SE Orlando the outdoor
Chrstmas trees seem to be protecting the stuff I did not get into the makeshift greenhouse. I do not know what the temperature was but I went to work without a coat and my car warmed up in about three minutes. There has been no evidence of frost or damage thus far. I have a pot of homemade vegetable soup simmering on the stove and a chocolate sour cream pound cake in the oven. Banana Nut Bread is in the mixer bowl awaiting its turn in the oven. I am sitting at the computer wrapped in a toasty robe and reading GW and planning my spring garden. Linda

Anyone remember this blast from the past?

Tom

Ah, yes, that was when I was going to Hillsborough C.C.!
I think was in the 60s or 70s by noon, just like it should be! (I was driving a Gremlin!)

Linda, do you live by the Nuke plant there in SE Orlando ? :>)

Tom , I remember it very well we had a dusting in WPB. When I went out to go to work it was still dark and when I look up at streetlight , yowee that's snow. There was about 1/2 inch on radio antennae. Covered the parking lot with light white dusting.

bernie

Nope, just behind Sea World. We have several hotels that are a block away and then they built out subdivision similar to St Augustine. I am lucky enough to have my front of the house facing away from the wind and also the house seems to block me from the frost whereas my neighbor gets it. I also have a tree canopy in the back and there is about 5 ft between my house and the neighbor on one side. Linda

My backyard thermometer read 37 at 6am. Coleus and Impatiens look ok still. It's weird that it would be warmer here 2 miles west of Tampa Bay than it was at Tom's house. We're usually a couple of degrees colder here on cold nights than the waterfront areas.

Could it be the elevation? We're 50' above sea level in this neighborhood. I know sometimes up North they'd talk about low-lying areas being prone to frost.

John

Wow. I had 25 on Tuesday morning, 28 this morning....and who knows tomorow? Meyer Lemon, Valencia, Murcott, unknown tangerine and satsuma looking fine so far...am worried about my huge key lime...it got defoliated last year and spent all year putting on new growth but not new flowers...afraid for the same this year, if not worse.

I finally broke down and covered my baby Key Lime tree, my tomato plant, cukes and moved my basil seedlings into the garage.

When I picked up firewood today at the garden center, the garden guy told me that Sat.& Sun will be the worst days and mentioned that we have a strong chance of snow flurries too.

All I can think of is, that this is starting to remind me of 1989 all over again...remember that? Rolling black-outs? snow? Ice?

Isn't this what is happening now?:
"Generally, for snow to occur, the polar jet stream must move southward through Texas and into the Gulf of Mexico, with a stalled cold front across the southern portion of the state curving northeastward to combine freezing air into the frontal clouds..."

I have been trying over the last 4 or 5 days to understand why the temperatures I see in my backyard are so different from the ones I see on my computer from The Weather Channel or Yahoo. So, I Googled it. Guess what, they are reporting the temps at the Sanford Orlando Airport (which is in 9b). The nearest station to DeLand is at the Lake Woodruff WLR. It's several degrees colder there. The closest to what I am seeing is in Deltona. Deland evidently doesn't have a weather station at the airport. Surprise, Surprise, Surprise! ;>)

john

I feel for you guys, hang in there. I was shocked to see the temps on the weather channel. I usually go on vacation in miami area every year. Best wishes from SoCal.

It's weird that it would be warmer here 2 miles west of Tampa Bay than it was at Tom's house. We're usually a couple of degrees colder here on cold nights than the waterfront areas.

I don't know what is going on but I had to scrape ice off my windshield again this morning.

Somehow my tomato seedlings are still alive, they're right up against the east wall of the house so that may account for them continuing to survive. And, to my surprise none of the veggies in the back yard on the south side have been burned, probably because the veggie garden is only 10 feet from the lake.

I consider myself very fortunate, but come this weekend the seedlings go in the garage for Saturday night.

Good luck everybody, stay warm....

Tom

Hi all! Still brrrr, but heat pump is working, yeah! Service guy looking at my dishwasher day before must have done something to make a bunch of breakers trip, noticed that my hot tub was not running and checked them, bingo. Bernie, I checked out the garden, all toast except kohlrabi and radishes. Time to strip it and prepare for spring garden, I guess...once it warms up of course. To cold to mess around with compost now.

Tom, interesting you can scrape ice off in the front of your house but the water apparently saving your stuff in rear. Micro climates are potent sometimes.

Sharon, hope you physical health has improved with rest, but if you like me, my mental health suffers when it's so cold that I do nothing outside.

Interesting the garden web florida site has shut down all talk except the weather!

Linda, maybe Sea world keeps you warm :>)

bernie

De Leon Springs was 24 again this morning.

Whatever fluke of nature kept it warmer at my house the night before last was gone last night. I did have to scrape frost off my car windshield this morning. Not sure what the backyard temp was because the thermometer stopped working - looks like the battery doesn't like the cold air.

John

I have been out cleaning out weeds and making new beds. I love working in these temps and I laid a lot of mulch. The mulch helps to keep my plants warm. Linda

John try wunder ground. Just type in your zip code and get local weather.

Here is a link that might be useful: Wunderground

I live in Brooksville, yesterday we had 19 degrees. We moved here in 2005 from Tampa, I had dragged MANY plants up here. One by one, they have succumbed over the years. I thought last winter was bad, but this one is far worse. I finally decided to give up, anything that has died due to cold WILL NOT BE REPLACED! And believe me, we covered everything the first couple years, no hope. The problem is, for all the hardy plants that will survive the cold, so many of them don't like the intense heat, which we do have here in summer. So there are a lot of junipers being put in to replace a lot of the plants we originally planted, especially the foundation beds. The one that really bothers me is the loss of the bouganvilla, which I dearly love, dead as a doornail. I know a lot of plants - perenials such as butterfly plants - do come back up but all the dead plants around the house drive me crazy. I think I'll just make a big bed somewhere away from the foundation and devote it to perenials so that I can still enjoy them but keep them away from the house. If anyone has suggestions for foundation plantings that aren't boring, please let me know.
Rita

Rita,

I've had bougainvilla that looked dead from the frost come back to life in the spring.

John

Yes, John, I had my beautiful pinky-orange bouganvilla resurrect itself 3 years in a row from what appeared to be total destruction, finally last year it gave up the ghost for good. I can still hear the soft sound of "Taps" drifting in the breeze as I clipped and clipped dead branches all the way down to it's rotten roots.
Rita

Yeah Bernie, thank you. I am feeling much better...plants aren't but I am. I have done nothing outside except walk around and look at the stuff that appears dead, hoping it isn't. Staying inside mostly making my spring seed lists.

Downstairs heating unit is out.....BRRRRRRR! Can't get a new one installed until next week, and only a "maybe" even then. All of us, including the dogs, are huddled upstairs, that unit is working.

I've lived in Florida all my life (born here). I don't EVER recall it being this cold for this long.

Bill

Sorry about your heating problems, and hope they resolved fast!

Yesterday all the stores on my area were sold out on firewood, people are having trouble heating up.

I put a slow roast in the oven just to heat up the house.

Hope that we never see this cold again, but the lesson in this is that we have to be prepared for the next winters to come.

Silvia

I was seriously thinking that one day I would like to move to Florida. I don't know which is worst, lack of rain with heat or low temperatures either way my plants will suffer. Look on the bright side, the sun will come out tomorrow.

Here is a link that might be useful: my rustic bajan garden

Hi Islandgal

I think for now the cold is worse than the dryness that you are experiencing in your garden, it reminds me when I lived in Arizona and everything was so dry.

And I looked at your blog and you tamarind writings. Remind me of me and my childhood, I love tamarind!

I have one now, the sweet kind in the outdoor bathroom protected from the freeze.

Silvia

Ilandgal, I absolutely love the email you posted on your website!!! The pictures of the "snow in the mountain" bush is extraordinary.

Today I read on the wunderground site that both Alaska and Greenland are warmer than we are!

Katie

That's just soooooooooo wrong! lol

I have been feeling guilty for having bought a line Carhartt chore coat last fall that I've always wanted. Not any longer! In fact I just told the wife I want to buy the optional hood that fits it!

I am definitely thinking of ways to improve the efficiency of my greenhous heating system.

.....Alan.

lowest here...so far.....on Wilming5on Island has been 25. ALl my citrus, even those with fruit seem to be fine. The tops of my 15 foot tall key lime are fried...but the rest seem rather healthy! Stay positive!