. . . so far. This past week we’ve enjoyed a heavenly mix of Narcissus poeticus, apple blossoms, and lilacs floating on the air. Indeed, I can’t remember the lilacs looking more spectacular. We haven’t had frost since the first week of May. But there is a frost advisory in effect tonight. We have lost entire apple crops in the past, due to the flowers getting frosted. My understanding is that if they are already fertilized, they will still produce apples. Some flowers have already dropped their petals, so I think at least those flowers will become apples. If it is a light frost, I think the lilacs will be okay. And the narcissus are pretty tough. I might try to cover the two trumpet lilies I’ve managed to grow from seed my grandmother gave me and which have never bloomed yet, but most things are just going to have to tough it out.
Judy, when you get snow like that, what happens? Did the snow stick, or melt off? Do you lose the flowers in bud? Do you lose all your apples/pears for the year? Is there anything (besides the tender things in pots that you’ve already mentioned) that you try to protect? I have to admit, I was hoping we’d get to June with no more frost, though the statistics were against me. I just can’t imagine a raging snowstorm amidst all this beauty.
About Kathy Purdy
Kathy Purdy discovered the joys of writing in fourth grade, when she started corresponding with a former classmate. She's been writing letters ever since, first on looseleaf, then electronically, and now as weblog entries. That makes you, the blog reader, her pen pal. Her first independent (though frustrating) attempts at gardening were made in high school, though the gardening bug didn't bite hard until her mid-thirties, when she found herself mistress of a rural home on 15 acres. • USDA Hardiness Zone:4 • AHS Heat Zone: 3 • Location: rural; Southern Tier of NY • Geographic type: foothills of Appalachian Mountains • Soil Type: acid clay • Experience level: intermediate • Particular interests: colchicums, narcissus, cottage gardening, NY native plants, gardening with/for children
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