freeze

Yes, You Can Cut Back Dead Plants Too Early

by Kathy Purdy March 10, 2017 – Posted in: Garden chores, Hellebores, Mud Season, Weather

I cut the dead foliage off my hellebores in February, and I paid the price in March. How was I to know we'd have the coldest temps of winter in March? Read on to find out what I did to fix things.

Cold Climate Gardening on the Radio

by Kathy Purdy October 5, 2012 – Posted in: About this site

Thanks to Mary Ann Newcomer, the Dirt Diva of Boise, ID, for mentioning our post about the difference between a frost and a freeze on her radio spot.

Hard Freeze, But No Frost: What Gives?

by Kathy Purdy March 27, 2012 – Posted in: FAQ, Weather

Very early this morning, the temperature bottomed out at 18F, so my max-min thermometer tells me. And yet, when I looked out my window, there was not a speck of frost on the grass. If I hadn't consulted the thermometer, I would have thought it was a lovely spring day out there. (The grass has [...]

Sudden Freeze After Days of Warmth

by Kathy Purdy March 24, 2012 – Posted in: Garden chores, Hydrangeas, Weather

74F Last Thursday, 16F Predicted Monday Cold climate gardeners, we knew this was going to happen, didn't we? After the incredible, pinch-me-I'm-dreaming spell of beautifully warm weather, the real March weather is coming back with a vengeance. I don't think it got quite as warm here as it did other places in my general area, [...]

What’s the Difference Between a Frost and a Freeze?

by Kathy Purdy October 11, 2009 – Posted in: FAQ, Weather

Last night the National Weather Service issued a frost advisory for our area, and we did indeed get a frost. They are issuing a freeze warning for tonight. What's the difference? I contacted a member of the local weather station staff. He told me that Both [the frost advisory and the freeze warning] are only [...]