I'm concerned about the lack of snow and cold

12 years ago

Seems as if the entire US is warmer than usual with very little snow cover. That worries me. A decade ago I had a fairly common disease, "leaf streak", in my daylily gardens. In the fall, I covered the gardens with shredded leaves. The disease survived through the mild winter and was so rampant the next year that it actually killed my plants although it's usually just unsightly, not deadly.

So, my question: are hostas going to be prone to problems? What should we we watching for? Nance

p.s. Happy New Year to my hostaholic friends!

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Comments (5)

thisismelissa
12 years ago
In the Twin Cities, meteorologists report that we have a "brown Christmas" on average every 5 years. We had it in 2006 and now again in 2011. Our ground is frozen, but not very deep.

In past years, when there has been less snow cover on the ground, but the inevitable arctic weather comes in (-20 degrees), we tend to lose more plants. It's an issue with insulation. Some plants that usually are able to keep top growth (like Black Lace Elderberry), could very well lose the topgrowth and die to the ground, especially if winds are typical.

I think the hostas that are going to be the most vulnerable are the ones whose roots haven't had a chance to fully establish and the air pockets around those roots are the most exposed. I planted 25 or so hostas in the late season that I fear may suffer. If I had greater motivation, I would go out and grab the bags of mulch that are sitting in another part of my garden and lay them across.... not bust them open or anything, just lay them across.

I suppose that if the winter is indeed mild and the ground would thaw earlier than usual, it may make for an earlier slug season.... maybe foliar nematodes too.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
12 years ago
pshaw.. you could have left them on the driveway.. boy its good to say that.. its been a while.. lol ...

the only issue with late planting.. and no snow or lack thereof .. is heating of the dark soil on sunny days.. which could lead to heave in the great white north later in winter ...

a dormant plant is dormant.. and if kept dormant.. there are no issues ... its when they start going back and forth in and out of dormancy ... that problems might start ...

thaw of surface soil on sunny days.. could hurt the tiny plants.. whose roots might not remain deep in the cold soil.. and those are also the ones ... if recently planted.. that can heave ...

birds eat slugs... and no snow cover might actually reduce slugs next year.. i dont know.. its as viable a theory as otherwise ...

once the ground is frozen.. the bags of mulch would be great ... but insure they get off in march ... if water accumulation is a problem ... they cant get sodden .... and lack oxygen... in my sand.. i could probably leave the bags there until may .. to keep the plants dormant longer .. to avoid frost.... but i dont know if that would be wise on clay ...

they are hosta.. the only thing to watch for.. is spring on the calender ... otherwise.. i wouldnt worry too much about hosta ...

too many peeps are worriers.. and my point is simple.. dont worry about hosta ....

ken

ps: wouldnt lack of snow.. reduce vole issues????
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hosta_freak
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Well,I would have to say,don't worry. Down here in western NC.we never have really super cold weather in the winter,but none of my hostas have ever suffered from lack of cold weather. Last year,at this time we had snow on the ground,but this year,mild,and no snow. I do,however have a silly Daylily,that has come back up again,but he is in for a rude awakening,come January,traditionally the coldest month down here! Phil
tomahawkclaim
Original Author
12 years ago
My biggest concern is the survival of pathogens over a mild winter. Last year both Virus-X and Southern Blight killed a couple of hosta in my garden; are either of those pathogens going to be more virulent next year because of our mild winter? N
Steve Massachusetts
12 years ago
HVX isn't effected by temperatures at all. Southern Blight might be, but the temps are't going to stay in the mid 30s all winter. You'll get a blast of cold in January and February. It's just that you probably won't get the same snow cover that you did last year.

The only thing you have to worry about is heaving. Make sure your small or new plants are covered. If you've got a left over Christmas tree, cut off all the branches and use them as winter mulch for your new plants. That will prevent heaving.

Steve

I'm concerned about the lack of snow and cold

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