I know that many places are buried under a mountain of snow so believe me . . I am not complaining about winter temps in Texas. I am complaining (like it does any good) that we have a couple of degrees in the 80’s (yesterday and today) and then this!
Weather
I just hope it rains tonight enough to coat things with ice and they stay coated with a thick layer of ice but no doubt, the ice will melt on Tuesday and if it gets down to 26, that will ruin our peach crop .. again! We have a later variety of apricots so I’m hoping there’s still a chance we can get a few apricots.
If the long term forecast is right, this should be the last real cold we have and by week after next, we should experience some consistent springlike temps.
I’ll bring all the seedlings in tonight so I’m not out in a cold rain trying to do it tomorrow. The warm, then freezing temps are so hard on the fruit trees and not too good for my sanity. I know . . what sanity? 🙂
When I look at pictures like the ones below, I doubt we ever leave Texas. I know it isn’t for everyone but to me, it’s so gorgeous! Part of it may be not having neighbors and feeling free to do what we want without any homeowner association rules or city ordinances. I guess “freedom” means different things to everyone but to me it means being able to do what I want on my own property and you do what you want on your property and if there’s enough space between us, I don’t see or hear you and you don’t see or hear me. And, just look at the amazing blue sky and my man out in shorts in February. Just don’t look tomorrow or the next day because we’ll be bundled up and there may be a few bad words uttered as we’re out dealing with chickens with ice on the ground and chicken doors frozen shut.
Tilling Potato Rows
Vince was out earlier tilling potato rows. I plant potatoes deep and he said he can get deeper with the old rear tine tiller. He’s such a good husband . . or is it that he loves home grown taters?
Peach Buds
The peach buds would have made pretty flowers and sweet, juicy peaches but I’m afraid Mother Nature has other plans!
Apple Tree
The apple trees already have leaves.
Pear Tree
The pear trees have budded, except for the sugar pears so I’m hoping the freeze won’t affect them.
Apricot Tree
I think the apricot trees will be ok.
Rosemary
Come rain, shine, ice, snow, sweltering heat . . the rosemary grows like a weed here. We have several of these bushes that are about 4′ tall and they started in small cups 3 years ago.
Not a whole lot we can do about the weather but hope for better luck with the fruit trees next year. They’d be fine if we wouldn’t have days and days of 75+ degree temps and then several 20 degree nights but . . it is what it is.
Sherrill says
What’s also annoying is just getting used to wearing spring/summer clothing and flip flops and having to go back to sweaters, socks, jeans and coats!! I HATE that!! I haven’t noticed buds on my pear tree yet but saw a bunch of lovely daffodils earlier. Guess this’ll be their swan song. UGH!! I HATE cold weather!!
JudyL says
I don’t love the cold but I don’t hate it but I do detest the warm/cold/warm/cold that’s so hard on all the fruit trees. It’s sad that we get one shot at producing fruit and all three years we’ve been here, we’ve had the warm days in February when the trees bud and then a hard freeze and we lose everything. If it could just stay cold and then get warm and stay warm . . the fruit trees wouldn’t bud til it got warm and then they could produce.
Dorothy Matheson says
I am right there with you. No fruit trees but the regular trees start leaves and then get blasted. And the pretty Red Bud Trees will loose the blossoms again this year I think.
Susan says
I think Texas is beautiful – especially west Texas. I hope to be back there again in a few years, too. I have found out that 40s doesn’t necessarily mean all the ice melts. We’ve had two days above freezing now, and there is still a lot of ice and snow out there. We didn’t have tons to begin with, but with the bottom layer and top layer being ice, it is a slow melt. I think today the trees are finally ice free, but one day for you? Your trees might still have an ice coating, depending on how much they get. I suppose smoke/heat pots are out of the question?
Rebecca in SoCal says
That weather is a tease! Poor little trees.
I’ve been warned about the invasive nature of rosemary. However, the retreat center near here has hedges of it (very well maintained) and it smells nice AND attracts the bees. It’s a good thing.
Amy (NW WI) says
Ooooooooo. Knowing we are easily two MONTHS+ away from buds, and 3 months away from tilling up the garden, it’s so fun to watch your progress way down in TX (despite that northern-type weather you’ve been getting lately!)
Thanks for showing the Rosemary bush AND for commenting that it was started three years ago. 🙂 I’m trying my hand at perennial herbs this year; already planted and germinating in my indoor mini-green house.
I will continue to smile at all your gardening posts as I not-so-patiently wait these next couple of months out.