Normally
we enjoy very nice fall weather in Las Vegas until about the first week of
December and oftentimes without frost. This would be pretty normal. To have
freezing weather before this, or unusually cold weather, would be a bit odd. As
long as the temperatures continue to drop slowly to our winter minimum lows our
perennial plants that can withstand some light freezing weather will survive
the winter.
we enjoy very nice fall weather in Las Vegas until about the first week of
December and oftentimes without frost. This would be pretty normal. To have
freezing weather before this, or unusually cold weather, would be a bit odd. As
long as the temperatures continue to drop slowly to our winter minimum lows our
perennial plants that can withstand some light freezing weather will survive
the winter.
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| Cold temperature damage to cycad. Notice there is more damage closer to the ground where cold temperatures lay. |
If
November temperatures drop suddenly, or we have snow before trees drop their
leaves, then we can have problems. If we are enjoying, for instance, night time
temperatures just falling below 50F and then it suddenly drops to 30F the next
night, then we might see major freezing damage in plants that normally might
tolerate temperatures to 20F. To survive the winter minimums, winter-tender
plants need time to acclimate to these low temperatures so that they can create
their “antifreeze” if they are to survive.
November temperatures drop suddenly, or we have snow before trees drop their
leaves, then we can have problems. If we are enjoying, for instance, night time
temperatures just falling below 50F and then it suddenly drops to 30F the next
night, then we might see major freezing damage in plants that normally might
tolerate temperatures to 20F. To survive the winter minimums, winter-tender
plants need time to acclimate to these low temperatures so that they can create
their “antifreeze” if they are to survive.
Decreasing
fall and winter temperatures also helps leaves to drop. One good cold snap in
the fall can cause tree leaves to drop prematurely. One day the leaves are
there and in just three or four days after the freeze, they are on the ground.
Trees like ash and Chinese pistache don’t please us with their winter colors
when this happens.
fall and winter temperatures also helps leaves to drop. One good cold snap in
the fall can cause tree leaves to drop prematurely. One day the leaves are
there and in just three or four days after the freeze, they are on the ground.
Trees like ash and Chinese pistache don’t please us with their winter colors
when this happens.
 |
| Reader’s African Sumac with snow damage during the snow of December 2008. You will need to get out and hit the limbs with a broom during heavy snow falls. |
There is
a good side to this early leaf drop. If we have one of our “every five year” snow
events, and it comes after early leaf drop, we miss all the damage snow can
cause that time of year. If snow comes early and these trees have not dropped
their leaves, then we can have massive limb breakage due to the snow load on
limbs.
a good side to this early leaf drop. If we have one of our “every five year” snow
events, and it comes after early leaf drop, we miss all the damage snow can
cause that time of year. If snow comes early and these trees have not dropped
their leaves, then we can have massive limb breakage due to the snow load on
limbs.
How we
manage winter-tender plants going into the fall months can make the difference
between their survival and death from winter freezes. It is important to
withhold fertilizers, particularly nitrogen, during and after the month of
August. It is also important to change the irrigation clock so that water is
delivered less frequently that time of year.
manage winter-tender plants going into the fall months can make the difference
between their survival and death from winter freezes. It is important to
withhold fertilizers, particularly nitrogen, during and after the month of
August. It is also important to change the irrigation clock so that water is
delivered less frequently that time of year.
If
winter-tender plants are still pushing new growth or they are still succulent
at this time of year, there may not be enough time for them to begin their adjustment
for winter cold. This adjustment takes them a couple of months of decreasing
temperatures and longer nights to accomplish this.
winter-tender plants are still pushing new growth or they are still succulent
at this time of year, there may not be enough time for them to begin their adjustment
for winter cold. This adjustment takes them a couple of months of decreasing
temperatures and longer nights to accomplish this.