Hi everyone! Mike, we have a very cold weather and lots of snow fell for the last couple of days, all schools are closed today. Another very cold front is coming soon, there is no break from winter for us. My trees are not growing at all, keeping them cool because of long periods of dark days we have here. Have not lost a tree yet, but I am afraid it is going to happen in March or April ( happened last year). Ok, going back in the den to hibernate till spring! Stay warm and safe everyone!

Hello! I hear you Mike, and sunshine. We are having a very similar weather pattern in the Midwest and a number of 0 to -28 days and nights. The cold air is blasting away and seeps right into my bones. Not much sunshine all winter although today the sun is out. The local schools have been shut down since last Friday due to blizzard like conditions.

The trees I have planted down in the ground in gh, and the ones in pots were all doing great until a few weeks ago. The temperature dropped to -25 and the wood stove tried to keep the temperature above freezing for a number of days but a few trees were affected at 28-30 degrees, mostly the lemons or young trees. Then we had a few days where we did not worry about keeping the stove going at all.. .. and the trees suffered a bit more...

A few weeks ago my hard working husband had a health scare and suffered a small stroke while out in the woods with our son. They were cutting wood for our stoves since our supply was running low. He is fine now and back to work, but he had short term memory loss and still has no memory of what happened for six hours of his life. It was a scary time for us and a wake up call. We are still a few years away from retirement, but it is good to start making a few changes in our lives. We were just talking about this a few months ago. I will be getting rid of a large amount of my citrus collection this coming spring/summer, and will cut back a few livestock on the farm.. My hubby is more important to me and he has been working hard 6 days a week on the job for many years, plus the farm and always helping others. .Time to slow down a bit and smell the roses...

Hi jinnylea. Sorry to hear about your husband. As we get older we are forced to re-evaluate our best laid plans and wishes. An incident like that is a good reminder that the most unexpected can happen. I have to start planning to reduce my plant collection. Right now it is a bit too much for us to handle. Be safe and keep warm.

We will go down to -6F or so. Not so bad compared to what the mid-west has to endure. I just completed a 'systems check'. I have my backup heaters ready - mostly electric. But I also have a propane heater and a kerosene heater just in case. I got those when our main house heater broke down, many years back, on the coldest night with a -12F outside temperature. Since then I have not used it but keep testing them every now and then. I try avoiding using them since one has to be quite careful using them indoors in winter. with no proper exhaust/chimney.

We have a forecast low of about 31F here on the 8b/9a line in Louisiana tonight, overall it has been a mild winter here this year, coldest night yet this winter has barely hit 28F (first in mid November, then again a few days ago) Which means I still have some fruit on my in ground Satsumas though the 28F nights did cause some limited freeze injury to the fruit (I suspect I lost 15-20% due to one early season cold night). This is way better than the 12-13F nights we had 2 nights in a row right at a year ago. I have my Meyers covered with lights just because at 3 years old it is still small enough to cover, just in case it gets colder than forecast.

Jinny, I am so sorry our friend. It sure does make you look at life defintely. I feel bad for your son having to see that(. You know, it does make you think twice about life and simplifying in order to have time to take a break from doing to much(. Please send him our best wishes and you too. Jinny, I agree with you on everything and I am also sorry your trees are having a tough time. It's going to be -55 in some areas and that's just wrong.

Tropicofcancer, I know what you mean about the propane tank. I have to make sure mines is around incase I loose electricity. It's scary if so.

Iv'e got my temp stick working just fine thank God. Just the thought of not knowing if the temps drop below 50 makes me nervous. I have trained my neighbor and my mom on how to open the greenhouse and reset the haters if they ever go out.

I have got all the doors opened to the sun room and I have now had to place a space heater on to the porch that allows me to keep it heated ot at least 40.

I just can't wait for the warmer days. I think the sun is feeling a bit stronger in my car, in my windows and on the south side of my house, even with the cold air.

Sunshine, you have the right idea. Just hybernate.lol I wish I could believe me. Nothing worst than having to start your car to go to work at 430 a.m.. Ugh. No snow yet htough but I think we are going to need it to protect the perennials or I shall have to toss towels or blankets on all those exposwed to those temps. I too am keeping the majority of my citrus trees, figs, cactus at temps way below 40 even in the thirties and thus far so good. NO pests, no dropped leaves, they are all staying green and just waiting until it warms up again)) Sort of in rest mode.

Rain now, calling for 3F low

tomorrow

Bklyn, do you think your covered roses and trees will make it through these Arctic temps? Does it concern you at all? Even that is cold for New York standards. They are saying that 87% of the country will be below 32 tonight, Florida included.

Mike

I’m in Indiana and it’s bad. Someone said Illiinois declared a state of emergency. its about -30 with the wind chill right now. Everything is closed in Indianapolis, from museums to the mail service. They are saying it would take 5-10 minutes for serious frostbite. My nursing classes were canceled and all the colleges and universities are closed. Some urgent cares are closed.

my family and I all at home, with heaters running. It’s about 75 degrees in my house! I poked my head outside and wow, it hits like a brick wall!

with the sun shining the way it is, you would never guess it’s so cold outside!

Oh jinnylea I am so sorry to hear about your travails but am heartened that your hubby has recovered. I hear ya about having "too much" and it ends up that with so much to keep up with, the days go flying and you have little time to just sit and savor it all. I think it comes from wanting so badly to have "this" and "that" for so long and also wanting to do all sorts of things that were put off due to other obligations, that when you finally get there, you are too physically tired to keep up with it all. Wishing you all the best!

Regarding the temps - I know there was some chit chat about "Hardy Chicago" figs yet looking at the temperature in Chicago right now, I see it is -21F (-29C). I would think any unprotected ground-planted figs there are toast (and probably protected ones too). This may even take out some poncirus trifoliata. That is Zone 4b temp territory for a Zone 6a city (although I know the Zone maps are based on an average of the lowest minimums for each year of the data set). This is why the northern tier folks hope for some type of snow cover that would insulate the ground against the types of temperature extremes that are happening now.

Here in the Philly metro area, we are due for single digits tonight so will see how "low" we go and am definitely not looking forward to that. We will probably break a record tomorrow for the lowest "high" for the date (I think the previous record was for a high of 21 and the forecast is for the teens). HOWEVER as I understand, next week will transition into a nice thaw with temps forecast for the 40s and even 50s, at least in this area.

Jenny, you are so right! The snow does act as insulation and thank God I got just enough last night! It seems we are getting punches of snow before these blasts which helps reduce the chances of death on many of my perennials. If I did not have snow on the ground, my ponds would freeze solid. Half my perennials would come back, and many of my Zone 6 shrubs and plants wowuld croak. Fortuntely I covered my fig with insulation and on top of that snow. My gardenia is under an igloo for making lemonaid in and then a blanket and then snow. So anything covered will not see temps that cold thank God. It also snowed about 6 inches last night so that this morning I threw much of it on my roses, and around the bottom of my greenhouse to prevent the cold from getting into it. What a pain!

I can't believe it will get that cold there. It's not even warm enough to swim in Miami. I worry about the sweet edgwood shrubs that you have locally there that can not tolerate temps that cold. Geez.

You made a lot of sense of things even I am concerned about.

Steve,

How will your trees do with temps that cold? Will you even see these frigid temps in your area? How ill you keep your greenhouse warm enough to keep them from freezing for the next couple of days?

I have 3, 3 space heaters going at once right now in my greenhouse. That cold front will blast through here with thunder at 3 p.m and I will not be home. It was 85 degrees in there before I left and hopefully it will stay warm through the night. The last time it got down to -4 last week, it stayed a whopping 70 degrees in there, almost to warm all night.

Amanda, what a good looking tree. It looks like it loves that spot. It is also nice and warm with your family as good company. It should thrive like that..Ha))

Mike, thank you and I can't believe you have those birds there this early? I don't see one until at least June. I did notice it will be warmer in Alaska and parts of the Antarctic compared to us. That's crazy. It does seem as the west continues to warm, the East gets into a bigger and bigger chill. Tired of it. What I would do to see hummingbirds already. I will not even see a robin until April. I guess you could say we are becoming a freeze box with less and less warm to hot weather .

Sofar this winter 4 nights around 15. Not bad. I have to put out more food for the birds and deer. Yesterday 13, to day 9. deer.

So far big chill hasn't hit yet cold but bone chilling is tonight at 7 degrees above forecast and tomorrow not much better, I've never protected a rose bush ever and I have several kinds in the ground........I expect my outdoor potted apples, pears, and peach will be OK - pots are large and they are dormant. My figs are in ground and completely covered/protected, should be OK. My biggest question is my Citrangequat under frost cloth and old window roof protection only - it will sink or swim........

If it makes anyone feel any better, even a proportion of the plants that are supposed to be completely hardy in your zones will probably die from this cold event. Even native plants could be affected. When this happened here in New Mexico in 2011 (-23F at my house), loads of peach trees were killed, all of the apricot flower buds zapped, and the mistletoe turned black on the junipers, among other things. That's when I realized that zone pushing can work fine during the "normal" years, but often not over the long term.

Anyway, it is brutal, and I hope you all make it through OK, and that it warms up soon (looks like by the weekend from the forecast?).

Ike,

I swear this site has a huge problem!!!! I never saw your post because it was not there when I first saw what everyone said, then some how it showed up today..I don't get it. I started a post about Kishu trees and some posted pictures, and now those pics are not there. This site stinks at times.

I hope your trees make and local plants make it. It is even cold way down there. It almost sounds as if that movie 'The Day After Tomorrow' is actually happening. Ugh

White out conditions now with thunder and winds in excess of 60 miles an hour. Had a warning issued. Still going for a jog though if I get home

Mike, wowweeeeee the wind was crazy, I couldn't tell if it were snowing again or just blowing around what had fallen last night! Here come the brutal freezing cold, I wish I could stay home through it but I have to venture out the next couple days. Thank goodness for remote starters.

Coping? Ha, yeah right! NOT. The most unbearable days are when its overcast and gloomy, so depressing. Sunny days are almost tolerable and can see plants enjoying it, ohh that's much better.

I too was just thinking last night thank goodness for the snowfall before the arctic chilldown, even if it was just 3 or 4". Hopefully my hens n' chicks, peonies, roses and others are in a deep cozy sleep. I'm worried about all my magnolias, sometimes branches or buds are obliterated during severe freezes.

For the previous arctic chill/snow storm I bought a bunch hand-warmers just in case the power went out for a day or two. I'd just save the rare jades and probably some other favorite cuttings and place them in a box with newspaper and the handwarmers, switching when warming time is up and hope for the best. Also, I'd probably be stuffing cuttings in my clothing and pockets in hopes they'd get body heat, lol. Seriously what would we do to save our favorites?!?!

Edit, just seeing your new comment with pic! Yup looked like a blizzard here too. Hope ya joking about that jog buddy!

Michael, that's awesome what you do in caring for the hummingbird! What little gems they are! I see cardinals and bluejays all year. Occasionally will see an oriole, eagle, hawks, owls, turkeys and turkey vultures (those are scary looking!!).

-Nancy

I got the cold front and high winds with temps below 0 and winds to 35+ mph. I am in the valley with a 300+ foot hill to the west and a house to the north. No wind for me. 4 below right now. The nzl is fine. It is harder to check the other three trees out side. Sun now hitting the east heat collector.

The 4 most important things needed for citrus trees is Location Location Location Location.

Steve

1/31/19 its degrees this morning, I'm not hopeful my passively protected only citrangequat is OK....but its too cold to check for another day or two

Jinny, glad to hear your husband is doing better! How scary! Definitely a sign to evaluate what really matters!

I've been watching the weather after the warm-blooded kid moved to Chicago, and she actually went out when it was 40 below and threw boiling water out of her balcony to watch it turn instantly into snow!

That is some crazy weather! We have not had much of a winter here, but at least we got some rain, after our fires last year, we desperately need water!

KC

Mike, hang in there! You will be enjoying summer and posting gorgeous pictures of your plants soon! Sending you warm thoughts from California!

KC

There are four countries in the world still using F. as the official measure of Temperature.

Sometimes a little bit confusing. But not to worry, just a comment on the US cold hardiness zone next to my name, that is the zone that applies to my yard after taking measurements there for ages.

You might find that the true zone for where you live might be slightly different to what is published depending on the aspect. Example in a frost hollow or not a frost hollow.

40C. (100+F) yesterday and the orchids survived under various layers of shade cloth.

Arthur, would I love a piece of that weather about now! It must be starting to get a little fall there or late summer. Good news for us. Ha Thank you

Kcandmilo, thank you. It's been pretty tough. All I want to do is sleep. It does fell good though feeling the sun getting stronger and stronger especially when I get into my greenhouse. I can already see all the plants reacting to longer daylight and more sunlight. Yahoo.

Nancy, you are not kidding! Can't wait to see the orchid show this up coming Friday. My allowance on spending is only 1000 dollars. lol

A couple of pics I just took. Flowre and fragrance are getting more and more )

I try to keep my garden spending under $100 a year. My citrus uses $20-$30 +/- in lighting/heating costs. Feed for all is about $50+/-. and pine bark shreds $10 +/-. Labor and compost is free. Buckets and containers are free

Steve

I have not read through all the comments so I apologize if I miss anyone. Jinny, I did see about your husband and am so sorry to hear that. I hope there will be no more scares like that for you guys and that he makes a 100% recovery. Mike, those orchids above are gorgeous!

We have had a bad blast as well, but not nearly as bad as many of you in the midwest and further north. We had a low of 11 a couple of days ago and it felt like -1, which for us is terrible and very uncommon. My trees are find inside but I'm not sure my orchids are super thrilled not be placed on the windowsills. My outdoor tree has been covered for several days with a heat lamp. I plan to uncover it today and see how it fared. We are supposed to have a high of 40...on second thought, I may uncover it tomorrow. I'll update you guys once I see it. I worry that my figs have died down to the ground - again!

Jinny I missed seeing about your husband. I wish you both a speedy full recovery.

Steve

Its February...Spring will be here before you know it....the Groundhogs here predict early Spring ( I KNOW LOL)

Here in the PNW the temperatures haven't been unusual. It's been cold, but we're maybe talking 42 F days. An Arctic front is supposed to move in in a few days but it will only get down to 22.

Pretty sure I'm further north in latitude than all of you. (If this spot were on the East Coast it would be in the Northern tip of Maine)

I do have some special hardy variety gardenias outside.

Puxatony Phil is age related blind' So don't count on it.

I hope he's right this year :)

Hi Laura, and thank you! It take a alot of work to keep them happy in the winter let me tell you but so worth it! I soak them once a week and regularly fertilize them every week. You have to with rainw water. It's just a pain. BUt luckily for you and me, we have spring summer and fall for them to pick up again and reward us by winter)))

How did your planted outside citrus and fig do? I have been very curious about that. 60 dgrees here by Tuesday and then winter again. Strange weather. It's 33 degrees warmer at this time than it was yesterday. Juts nuts. I have no idea how my fig fared under the wraps or snow gardenia but I pray they are ok)

You know what I do if there is no snow cover to protect my roses, shrubs, azelea, butterfly bushes and or other perennials when there is no snow cover to protect them from the brutal windsa dn sub arctic temps? I thow small blankets, cloths, towels, anything so that they are no exposed. works like a charm.

Please let us know how your plants fared.

Socal, are you sure about that? The northern tip of Maine almost always runs a great degree lower than us here and we get very cold. Last I checked, it was -18 up there while here it was -4. It is always extremely cold up there. BUt I wish I had the 40's like you. Perfect for gardenia and figs to stay in ground!

Mike, orchid $$ sure do add up quickly, we're going to have a grand ol' time! I may get another chocolate scented orchid, it's been my fav, so intoxicating.

Yup, our weather is wack as far as Tuesday's highs, darn thaw and re-freeze. Facepalm.

Wonderful blooms, so beautiful! Can't wait to see & take in summery aromas. You may have to drag me outta the warm & humid greenhouse, lol.

Latest news on Punxsutawney Phil . Do not miss it - your citrus will thank you.

Tropico, yahoo..lol LOve it.

Nancy, only 3 days left and counting.lolWhat do you think of our Pats football game??! Go Brady, right! 6 Super Bowl wins!

Oh, and save your money, it's going to be a real treat. I already spoke to 3 vendors bringing me special orchids. This could be bad or good.lol

Mike, absolutely Friday will be here very soon :) but first shipping out to Boston for the Parade! Going with 3 (maybe 4) girlfriends. Its going to be beautiful weather. I'm getting up at 4am leaving my friends house by 5:30 and will take the T from Riverside. I think we will be somewhere in the beginning of the parade route but who knows could change. Maybe I'll run into ya there among the million people? Lol plays where's waldo. I'm hoping to see Brady and Gronk (did ya see him with the kittens? He's a giant compared to the kittens ha) and Edelman, Belichick and a few others.

I couldn't believe how low scoring the game was!! I felt so bad the kicker missed the first fieldgoal, (it would suck to be the guy who cost them the game) but was happy he was able to get in a couple in later. It always helps when we are ahead a little less worrysome of a game, and the Pats did great stopping the Rams from scoring. Later in the 4th quarter my anxiety went down knowing there was little chance for the Rams to get ahead.

The halftime show was not that exciting in the creative elements like in past years. I do like Adam Levine, I just didn't care for the rap nor the fur coat. I liked the Clydesdale commercial a lot. I got to see some of them back in Sept at the Big E, massive and beautiful.