dygg.....I cant explain in botanical terms what happens to a bulb, planted at the correct time, and its developing roots so that it goes into the freezing weather of a northern winter and experiences no problem. In layman's terms.....the bulb develops roots from the cool weather that is in the ground. Once with roots, something magic happens to the inner tissue of the bulb. Remember, the hardy bulb has everyting in it that is the plant...everything. Stem, roots, leaves, flowers....are all in the bulb when you plnat it. When the roots form, the exterior of the bulb tissue puts up a kind of armour....nothing can harm it...not even down to 40 below zero. But, without roots, the armour does not develop...and the bulb is left to try to sustain itself.....which it cant....because it doesn't have the protection. This is why tulips....et al...are put intot he ground when they are. Delaying the proper time, the bulb is left open to possible harm. As long as the bulb can be put into ground that enables it to produce roots, then it will survive. Want to try something: Put a bulb into the freezer of your refrigerator....then remove it in the spring. But hold it over the garbage can. Put a bulb into some soil and put that into your refrigerator...not the freezer...and water it as needed, keep it away from your crisper...and in 14 weeks take it out and give it sunlight. Watch it bloom.

Confessions Of An Over Planner: When I moved to this climate I bought an enormous roll of burlap and a buttload of floating row covers because I was afraid of cold weather. I already had many cheap, large garbage cans I thought that I could use for the same thing. In addition, I have been collecting outdoor string lights during January sales for years. I also had a collection of small bamboo stakes and scored the motherload of bamboo when I picked up three huge bundles of very large ones a neighbor put out for trash. And finally, I have a roll of chicken wire and a bunch of short fenceposts with which to build cages. I have yet to use any of it and it will be five years next month. That said I have it if I need it. When the big one comes I will use lights on those most precious (I intentionally placed my tropicalesque bed close enough to run cords to a power source) with a teepee of one of the cloth substances. Others will just get teepees. And yes, my garage is full of things I have never used. But I have them on hand and that itself is a comfort.

Here's my article titled SPRING HOSTA TIPS: Spring Hosta Tips The snow is melting and Spring is on the way. Youve been anxiously waiting for the chance to walk through your gardens and dream about the new plants youÂve ordered from your favorite mail order catalogs. And, you canÂt wait to put your gloves on and get your gardens cleaned up. Hold on. Tip #1: DonÂt remove that winter mulch until the last frost is gone. Early arrivals, like montana ÂAureomarginata may require additional protection from that late season cold and wind. When all danger of frost is past, then go for it. Get your rake and wheelbarrow. Tip #2: Thoroughly clean your gardens. All debris should be raked and added to the compost bin to eliminate a breeding ground for slugs. Be careful not to rake or step on the eyes that are just popping up to avoid damaging the leaves which are about to unfold. Are your plants in good shape? Tip #3: Look to see if the frost has heaved your plants out of the ground- especially young hostas which were planted last year. As the ground freezes and thaws, freezes and thaws, and freezes and thaws (get the idea?), those plants may need to be tucked in on several occasions. Can your friends easily read those plant labels? Or has the name tag completely disappeared? Tip #4: Make sure all plants, including new arrivals, are accurately labeled and the tags are in good condition. Remember that large hostas will cover up name tags that are too close to the mound. Perhaps you have trees and shrubs which need to be pruned. Tip #5: Spring is the best time to prune most trees, and shrubs after flowering. Those branches which are dead, or make it too shady, should be cut off cleanly, chipped up, and added to the compost bin or reserved for a woodchip path. That pile of leaves, garden waste, and grass clippings from last Fall should be flipped over now. Tip #6: Turn over your compost pile. You may want to add a little sand. The warm, rainy weather will turn all that stuff into black gold. Then when those hot summer days reach 70 or 80 degrees, apply that free mulch around the base of your plants. How is your supply of fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides? Tip #7: Take an inventory of your gardening supplies- tools, gloves, hoses, sprinklers, wheelbarrows, fencing, tomato cages, etc. Shop and replace worn out items now so that youÂre not stuck in the middle of a job. Spring is a great time to divide and transplant your hostas. Did you promise to give a hosta to a friend, or donate a plant for the hosta auction? You can create interest and educate others about gardening, and eventually turn your neighborhood into a hostaholic community. Tip #8: Spring is the best time to dig in your hosta bed. Review your garden records from last Fall to see which ones need your attention. How wonderful to see those long awaited hostas shoot up, bigger and stronger than the year before! Tip #9: DonÂt neglect to apply a slow release fertilizer. But donÂt over fertilize, and keep those granules off the newly emerging leaves, or crown, of the plants. Above all, enjoy the fresh Spring breeze, the chirp of the robins, and the signs of life as they appear, knowing that old man Winter is giving way to a new season of hosta gardening and fun everywhere!

llgarden, I'm sorry I didn't get back here sooner, I've been crazy busy in the backyard until it started raining and then I haven't been feeling well for the last couple days! Yes, if there's still time I would like some of the orange daylilies! Assuming you haven't potted any yet, if you can dig up a "small piece" and just wrap it in some wet paper or paper towels I'll bring it home and divide it and put it in two small pots to take with me! Because of "lack of space" I can only take small pots with me on my trips of things to give away, so I can stick them in a size that will work for me. If you have already potted some up and they're in gallon or anything approaching gallon pots I'll probably take them out and replant them in a couple small pots! One will be going to the Navajo woman I mentioned above and the other to a Santa Clara Pueblo woman who owns the place where I stay at Cortez! If I'm getting back here too late for you to bring some I'll just try again at the next swap! Thanks for offering me some, Skybird F 05.1223 @ 2130 MDT