The last time we had any measurable amount of snow was in mid-December (about a foot). Since then, pretty much just flurries now and then. We haven't had a winter this dry for a long time. WE'RE supposed to be the Great White North, but instead, you guys are getting walloped! You may have a few more broken canes in the spring, but, like everyone says, the snow will insulate and give much needed moisture to your soil. Hope you are all o.k....be careful not to overdue the shoveling. You wouldn't want to put your back out just before spring. Judith

The Agaves are not near a heat source, just underneath an overhang so they stay relatively dry. I still have A. ovatifolia, A. americana and A. salmiana outside. The coldest it's been so far is about 20 or 21F. I will probably haul the americana into the garage if it gets to 15F. The older leaves on A. americana have suffered, but the rest appear undamaged. Yucca rostrata is completely exposed and looks perfect. I haven't ever sniffed the Crass, I will let you know :-) x

Coeur d'Alene had 127 inches of snow by yesterday and then a little more fell. This was a new seasonal record and nearly double normal. Seems like when I lived right in town about 30 years ago, there was more snow to deal with. I think that might be true but with a certain amount of melting, some drifting, and days of shoveling - it's real hard to make much sense out of the landscape. I'm considering "burrowing" next. There were winds of 35 - 40 mph with gusts near 50, today. Lots of roads in and out of communities in the Columbia Basin are closed because of drifting and white-out conditions. I think it is now going to turn to rain except for up where you are, Margaret. And, even western MT may get rain by Sunday. Hopefully, there won't be very much. digitS'

Yes you can! Really! You don't need snow and ice or freezing temperatures to Winter Sow, you just need the season that's called Winter, and where you are Winter isn't a season that's long or bitterly cold, it's milder, and gentler....and you don't have to shovel out from a snowstorm like us Northerners! Lucky you! "What seeds can I sow?" You can sow almost any annual, and most certainly all biennials and perennials that are okay to grow in your warmer zone. Look for "sub-tropicals" when you search for seeds, you can even try a few tropical seeds too....but if you don't have confidence in sowing tropical seeds then hold back some seeds to start inside, compare the germination, and learn from your efforts. As your Winter is so very short I would suggest placing the seed flats outdoors where they'll get direct light only in the morning or afternoon, brilliant overhead sunlight at midday might be way too intense causing the air inside the flats to super-heat which could "cook" the seeds....bummer. For some info on a sowing technique you can try please read the Winter Sowing FAQ "Is there Spring and Summer Sowing?". Thanks, Trudi