My rooster was getting frostbite regularly until I started rubbing vaseline on his comb and wattles and bought the heat lamp bulb. It's one of those really big red heat lamp bulbs people put in their bathrooms. It's 250 watts and just goes into a regular (but not plastic) socket. It cost me about $10 and has been well worth it. I only run it at night when it's below -15 and the odd day when it is that cold all day. The vaseline helps a lot too. He struggled fiercly until I started stroking his comb with the vaseline. Then he got really still and just stood quietly though the whole procedure. I think he likes it. I've done it a few times. It's necessary anyway, whether he likes it or not. I laughed the first time, as one of the lead hens came up really close, watching, and asking a quiet question. When she got in his face he gave her a little chirp without moving and she went away. I guess she was worried. It was so cute! I remember that about Thunder Bay. The things that do grow well there get HUGE due to the extra long daylight. The blackflies and mosquitoes are fierce but only for a very short period of time, then nothing. They get so bad in May they drive the moose out onto the highways. I saw my only real life bald eagle up north and up close. I actually had to use the break to keep from running into him with the car. He was flying down the highway in front of us. HUGE and gorgeous bird with a wingspan much larger than our car. I had no idea they were so big! I never have the camera when I need it!

We're supposed to get down to 18 here. Glad I'm not trying to grow fruit trees. Laceyvail - You mentioned buddleia. I had a 'Honeycomb' that leafed out in spring after it's first winter then was killed by a late freeze. I would've covered it if I'd known it would DIE. I've been told that late freezes can kill mums too. I have some with sentimental value that I watch carefully every spring. I don't mind a temporary set-back but I do mind losing plants completely. I'm worried about my salvias. I have darcyi, greggi and guaranitica that would probably be happier living in zone 7 but they're stuck living in my yard. They have new leaves coming out. Anyone know if they're sensitive to late freezes? I need hindsight ahead of time, then I could go just go out and dig up a few things and stick them in my garage until Monday. lol

Here in western NC,hostas are up and almost fully leafed out,except for the few that are always late. No freezing weather is forecast,but the weekend is supposed to be cooler than it has been. it is raining now while the cold front passes through. I hope nothing like that happens,because it would be devastating! I had some of the early risers nipped already,but they are recovering well. Phil

Ugh, 18 degrees tonight. I think tonight might finish of my already heavily damaged avocado's. I have them a little better protected this time and am going to place a few hot water bottles at the base every few hours throughout the night. I am hoping that will get them through the night. I was really hoping to get a few years growth on these things before we had such bad cold spells during the winter.