I SAID IT A FEW WEEKS AGO, when I saw a change of the guard at my feeders a couple of weeks ahead of “normal”–do the birds know something I don’t yet? Seemed to me then that winter’s first teases must be close at hand. And now the National Weather Service says it may drop to 33 one night this week, slightly higher the others (not as scary as parts of Wisconsin, the Dakotas, Minnesota and Iowa, where I see–egads!–winter weather advisories and freeze watches and warnings). Here we northern gardeners go–time to start dragging everybody tender into the garage, basement, house. I talked about this on the podcast this week (also on iTunes), and for a more thorough reference, try this overwintering primer.
It is in the 40s and wind gusts to 45 here at our camp on Lake Superior. Mother Nature is having a temper tantrum. We are 20ft from the waters edge……More Hot Coffee please….
Yup. I dug up a basil to bring into the house. Slight frost with low of 36 last night. Too soon. :-(
Yep, 25- 30 forecast for tonight here in MN.
EEEK! And I spent all weekend getting things looking spiffy….sigh
*raises her hand in Wisconsin* Word.
:)
May do some “covering”, even though “they” say the coldest will be in the northern part of Iowa. Have some “special” peppers that haven’t co-operated at all this summer and are just now starting to form fruits. Also, want to try to overwinter a rosemary plant (probably a task beyond me, but still…..!)
Yup, here in Nebraska they say 35, 2-3 weeks earlier than normal. The insect and birds have vanished it seems. I have a pile of sheets ready to go!
one of the few times i love being an urban gardener in nyc.
urban heat island effect is kind of awesome sometimes.
Welcome, Charles. Yes! Heat traps, those buildings and roadways and all of it. I stay cooler on summer nights but when the going gets cold…I get cold faster.
To all of you so far with your hilarious and helpful comments on this one: Maybe if we huddle together we can stay warm? :)
Wowzers, already? Our first frost is usually the first or second week of October here in Maryland. The deer have been feeding during the days though and that is suppose to be a sign of sorts. Although they stay up night and day to eat apples off of the trees!
Yesterday and today: covering peppers, eggplant and tomato..cause we still want them fresh!
Breaking out the old bedsheets – but we need more sunpower to turn all the green tomatoes red!!
Oh my, still waiting on toms up here in Maine!