Halfway Through Winter
Halfway Through Winter
It’s the middle of January and we’re halfway through Winter. Well as far as not seeing very many plants anyways. It’s been almost 2 months since we covered up and it will be another 2 months, or so until we uncover them again.
It has been very snow-free so far this year. Last year was just like that. Check out Lack of Snow- Good or Bad. Some of the worst winter weather is probably just around the corner. The last half of January and February are usually worse than what comes before.
Why cover??
Covering with white plastic obviously protects plants from winter’s snow and wind. But it also keeps them from rotting. Say what? If the pots were left uncovered, they would collect water in the top and that can and will rot the plant.
The soil in the pots freezes and they freeze to the ground. Then along comes snow that melts and some rain along the way. That all collects on the top of the pots.
Ground heat
Did you know the best place for these potted plants is setting on the ground? Now, wait a minute. If they freeze solid to the ground, why is that best?
The ground is frozen and about 32 degrees F. That’s 0 degrees C for the rest of you guys. The air temperature gets much colder than that. Around here it can get down to 0 and below. That’s F degrees.
Then you throw in the wind that adds in chill factors even colder. Those frozen pots are basking in that 32-degree ground heat keeping their roots nice and warm.
Covered benches
All of my plants are on the ground, but where are they? Most nurseries use what are known as low hoop frames or houses to cover their plants. They look like the top of a Conestoga wagon sitting on the ground. Conestoga what? Look it up if you need to.
I keep my plants on benches all Spring and Summer. I just don’t have room to add in hoop frames. Since I’m not exactly a conventional guy, I did something unconventional.
I decided to cover my benches with the plants underneath. “Never heard of that” is what the sales rep told me when I ordered the white nursery plastic. Trust me, she handles lots and lots of nursery plastic too.
Success!!
Needless to say, it was successful. If you look at the picture, you can see squares and narrow rectangles. The squares are actually 2 benches covered together. The others are single benches.
There are about 200 potted plants under each square and maybe 70 under the singles. I have 11 double benches and 16 single benches covered.
Don’t do the math because not all of them have potted plants under them. There are also hundreds and hundreds of baby plants under some.
