Another
freeze went through the valley this past week along with some unusually cold
weather. Freezing temperatures are more damaging to plants as we enter the
spring months because plants are starting to “wake up” from their winter
dormant period. These same plants might have no problems with these
temperatures in December and January.
freeze went through the valley this past week along with some unusually cold
weather. Freezing temperatures are more damaging to plants as we enter the
spring months because plants are starting to “wake up” from their winter
dormant period. These same plants might have no problems with these
temperatures in December and January.
 |
| Spring recovery of oleander from a freeze that did a small amount of damage |
During
these low temperatures, honeybees were not flying during the day so pollination
of flowers would be light. They fly when temperatures are warmer, the sun is
shining and wind is light. Put in some plants that flower during the winter
that attract honeybees and it will help bring the few that are out there scavenging
into your yard. One example is rosemary but there are many others.
these low temperatures, honeybees were not flying during the day so pollination
of flowers would be light. They fly when temperatures are warmer, the sun is
shining and wind is light. Put in some plants that flower during the winter
that attract honeybees and it will help bring the few that are out there scavenging
into your yard. One example is rosemary but there are many others.
 |
| Freeze damage to American agave. You can reduce freezing damage to potentially tender plants somewhat by not fertilizing plants with high nitrogen fertilizers a couple of months before anticipated freeze. |
In many
places this was a “hard” freeze. Some landscapes were colder than others and
this may affect fruit production in trees that were flowering or had small
fruit on them. Electronic thermometers that record the previous days lowest
temperature are not very expensive and may be worth having this time of year. By
having one you will know the temperatures your landscape experienced. The
extent of damage to plants relates to the lowest temperature, how long it
lasted and the susceptibility of the plant to freezing temperatures.
places this was a “hard” freeze. Some landscapes were colder than others and
this may affect fruit production in trees that were flowering or had small
fruit on them. Electronic thermometers that record the previous days lowest
temperature are not very expensive and may be worth having this time of year. By
having one you will know the temperatures your landscape experienced. The
extent of damage to plants relates to the lowest temperature, how long it
lasted and the susceptibility of the plant to freezing temperatures.
 |
| An older Taylor digital thermometer that remembers the last 10 days of low temperatures. It doesn’t give you a date but it gives you a sequence of days up to 10 days historically.Now they have wireless versions for less than $20. |
If you
applied fertilizer to your landscape plants already, or plan to soon, then all that
the damaged plants need is water for recovery. If fruit is lost due to a hard
freeze, there’s nothing you can do about it. If you plan to apply fertilizer
soon, save some money and apply it when temperatures begin to warm.
applied fertilizer to your landscape plants already, or plan to soon, then all that
the damaged plants need is water for recovery. If fruit is lost due to a hard
freeze, there’s nothing you can do about it. If you plan to apply fertilizer
soon, save some money and apply it when temperatures begin to warm.