Suzy, how do the tender plants survive shipping...are heat packs used? No, Jo. We more northerly growers refuse to hang up the shingle and keep on keeping on. The tender plants come in on every imaginable means. Sometimes, if it's a large order, the grower brings them on their own heated truck. I even have one of those rescheduled, because the high that day was still below freezing, and the goods expensive. They come overnight on the familiar shippers, they are picked up at airports, they even sometimes come courier. And today, we went and got THEM! The bigger wholesale growers are pretty adept at shipping them between the worst of the weather fronts and put them in what they call winter pack boxes, it's like a box, within a box, within a box. Expensive way to move perishables, but still cheaper than frozen plants. The small liners (rooted cuttings) and plugs don't seem expensive until you look at a bench of the packs and realise there is a couple thousand dollars sitting in a few square feet. Michelle, I cracked up at your description of winter madness. I have worked in those facilities and sometimes I wondered if the staff were as grounded as the clients at times. It's all relative, I guess. My cabin fever is late coming on. It usually hits in January and by this time of February I'm in spring mode, even if the weather isn't cooperating. I think I did myself an injustice by biding through January without going a little mad. I feel like a big zit about to pop when I need to be the most functional. The sun did come out for about an hour before it set. The ice was falling off the trees in big chunks. The whole d*mned property is a hard hat zone.

memo in NE, I was shocked to hear your snow plows don't go through until 2-3 days after the snow stops! That must leave you stuck at home for a very long time during severe winter blizzards! Our snow plows go through along with the salters all during the storms, unless the drivers stop to sleep. Maybe that's because we're between Milwaukee & Chicaco, living close to Interstate-94. That highway NEVER sleeps - it keeps going, even if it's at a crawl. I agree with you, mary lu, I hope the power doesn't go out. I went to the store last night to get a few things, among them, water. Because if the power goes out, the well pump won't work. I guess the kind of precipitation we get depends on the temperature. Right now it's 35°F . I have a feeling it will be a nasty mix by the time the storm reaches us. I actually don't mind the snow. It's the freezing rain that makes for some very dangerous situations. Stay warm & safe everyone! Julie

Gardengal, wow - I'm sorry to hear about that, but glad everything was saved. After 14 inches of snow followed by 8 inches of rain overnight and today, my nursery is partially under water now. I am not too worried about the plants as I expect the water to recede quickly. The unfortunate thing is I probably lost a kerosene heater, and it spilled fuel. I took these pics yesterday around 3:15. It was pouring rain and miserable out there so I just got a few pics of this and it was shortly after the meltdown began so I didn't quite get the full 14 inches... anyways enjoy! general view I'm using these metal shelves to move the nursery. Whenever I come up with the cash I rent a big box truck, then put the shelves in and fill them with plants. desert plants Embothrium seedlings left/center is a bunch of flats of 4" stuff. mostly 1 and 2 gallon plants at right Greenhouse buckling under the snow after I already knocked the snow off it twice. Remarkably enough it sort of recovered today after most of the snow melted off and it will only need some minor quick fixing. greenhouse exterior wheelbarrow full of dead plants and snow Amazingly even after 8" of rain and strong gusty winds all day, not all the snow has melted yet. On the plus side, we've been spared most ot the wind here in Poulsbo. Lights have flickered a bit but winds have been less severe than in most places.

At first thought, I would say you are right and shouldn't be too concerned. However, use a bit of caution. If the ground was frozen before the snow and all of the snow has not melted, the ground is still frozen. 98% of water basement problems are due to grading. Certainly an overflowed stream or river is a bit different!!! Just as a precaution, since you are going to be doing work down there, I would use a good waterproofing paint like "UGL" A good acrylic enamel would be good too. Either of these would seal real well and should things get damp, they will help retard mold growth. Good luck this summer!!!! From the looks of it, you have more winter coming so stay safe!!!