It’s getting on in February, just the last week of the month. This is how the weather has been – we’ve had 80+ degree days, then a few days later freezing nights. Last night it was 35 at midnight, and by 8AM this morning it was 30. And tonight will be cold, but not as cold. It will still be in the 30’s, but not as close to freezing. But by Wednesday it should be around 85+ degrees. How’s that for fun weather.
It’s warmed up enough that I’ve turned the yard watering system back on. I’ve also started some seeds, and put lawn fertilizer out. I put some lettuce seed out in a pot, they’ve already sprouted. I tried this since I was at the garden center and they had pots for sale with various lettuce growing in them. It looked like someone had mixed various lettuce seeds together than spread them in the pot and let them grow. The ones I saw had green lettuce, red lettuce, ruffled lettuce, arugula, and even Romaine growing in them.
The garden stores, yes the big box ones, are getting new plants out. They have fruit trees, some flowers, lots of soil, even bulbs out for sale. It’s nice to go out and see all the new things available.
We even went out and found some roses. After the freezing temperatures we had the other week, we definitely had plant damage. We did cut back some that looked like they had bit the dust. I’m not sure what they are, but I think its a type of artemisia. It looked like it had been burned by the cold. In desperation I cut it back, almost to the ground. Well, that seemed to have revived the plant. It’s got a lot of new green growth on it in a matter of about a week. We also put out some new mulch. I will have to dig some of the mulch up as I bought some caladium bulbs I want to put in. I also bought some flower seeds I want to get in.
Since we’ve had this wild weather I also purchased some cloches off the internet to help give some seeds and plants a chance of surviving any cold we get. The ones I got are taller than wide, and plastic. They feel flimsy, but if they work I’ll just go with them. They have little tops on them that allow you to control airflow and warmth. I have them on my basil seeds to help it germinate. We’ll see if they work.