Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Freeze of '09---Part I


Well---hopefully, by the time you read this, our weather is supposed to begin to warm up!!!! Yeah-Diddly!!!! Hopefully, when all is said and done, our Spring Freeze hasn't been nearly as bad as the one in '07 (that I blogged about a few days ago). The temperatures haven't been nearly as low, and not as low for as long a period of time. AND we had snow ---and not FROST (which is much worse). We were planning for the worst and preparing the best way we could.

SO--during the day on Monday (with snow already beginning to blow around, and with temps in the mid-30's), we brought all of the potted plants and hanging baskets into the garage --and some into the house. George has 46 rose bushes (32 in the ground and 14 in big pots that we put along our driveway). I have 9 hanging baskets plus about 10 more potted plants. SO---you can imagine how much work we had ahead of us.. (You wanna come today and help us put them ALL back out????? HA)

After that, I took some small pots and covered all of my little Hostas --which are just beginning to grow... I'm sure the cold temperatures would have killed them since they were just popping up. After that, George covered all 32 roses....


We had flurries all day Monday---and woke up yesterday with about half an inch of wet snow on the ground. Snow really doesn't hurt flowers, but this heavy snow did bend some of them down. The flurries and temperatures in the 30's stayed with us all day yesterday--until late afternoon, when the skies finally cleared.

We're not out of the woods yet --- but TODAY should begin to look like Spring again. (We hope!)
I have several pictures to share ---but want to put them in TWO different posts. Above is a picture of the plants that I keep on the deck and out back. I found a spot for them in the dining room area of our Great Room. Below are more.







These are some of my plants and hanging baskets. I put them on one side of the garage. NOTE the firewood stacked up in the garage---all DRY and ready to burn. We have had a fire in the fireplace for TWO straight days.





On the other side of the garage are all 14 of the Roses planted in pots. See how nicely some of them are growing. We hope to have roses blooming in May!!!! Yeah Rah!









There are 22 Roses planted in this bed--on the right side of the driveway looking toward the street. These are growing nicely also--so I hope that the freeze did no damage to these vulnerable bushes.







Looking at the same flowerbed ---all covered up!!!!!



The same Rose bed after the snow; Taken on Tuesday morning!







We took this picture of the lamppost flowerbed ---on Monday afternoon.







The same flowerbed early Tuesday morning; That ole' wet snow really bent the Daff's down... (BUT--the good news was that they popped back up after the snow melted--thank goodness.)







This is the beginning of our beautiful Clematis.... Hope it makes it through the freeze. It will climb up those wires --and parts of that 'gorgeous' telephone poll in our FRONT yard. Grrrrr.... I keep seeing pictures of Darla's Clematis blooming ---and can't wait until ours does too!!!







My sweet little Hosta plants are all covered up under some pots... I think I covered about 15 different plants. Hopefully, sometime this summer, I'll be able to show you some beautiful Hostas.







I took this picture on Monday afternoon of our side flowerbed. You can see our wrap-around deck in the background---with our swing (or SWANG as I love to call it)!! In the bottom left corner of the picture, you can see another 'covered' Hosta.







Finally, here is a picture of one of our three Holly bushes. We almost lost these bushes in 2007 during the freeze. They just dropped their leaves. I had to cut them back ---and they've begun to grow again. Hope this freeze won't hurt them again.


I have some before and after pictures to show tomorrow ---so tune in again for Part II.
Hugs,

40 comments:

Midlife, menopause, mistakes and random stuff... said...

Girl, I know!!!!! I had to cover my things as well. We didn't get that snow like you did but it certainly got below freezing and I was so worried about some of my tender shoots and blooms. Here's hoping it's the last time :)

Steady On
Reggie Girl

Unknown said...

Our yards and home look very similar right now Betsy, minus the snow of course. Can't wait to get outside when the sun comes up and have me a good look see!!

Kim said...

You have such pretty flowers!! And so many of them too. I am so glad to hear it wasn't as bad as expected and your beloved plants should survive. The snow is actually a good thing as it protects the plants from frost.

Good luck taking them all back outside though. That looks like a full time job based on the number of plants I see in your pictures!

Cedar ... said...

Snow here too,...but we don't have anything outside or growing yet. It may be spring on the calendar, but not in reality this far north. Hope things turn out ok.

Tina said...

Betsy,
Glad to see and hear that all wasn't that bad...and hopefully all will be sunny and bright again today for you!! Usually daffs are pretty hardy..good you took the roses in tho!
We drove about 3 or 4 hours, yesterday, in snow and temps in the high 20s and low 30s..what a pain..but finally we saw the temps rise into the low 40s by the time we got home. Snow seems to follow us when we travel..lol. guess I should stay home until May!!

RA said...

Oh my goodness! When you said to Bob to email him some snow, I didn't expect it still would be so much. That's a lot of work you've been through. I hope spring will arrive soon at your doorsteps. I imagine that your garden will be very beautiful in full blossom. Best wishes.

Shelley said...

Well you & George have done everything to save your beautiful flowers & plants! I'm sure they will make it!! I love hostas - I think I need to get some too! :-)
We have snow on the ground here still but I'm praying for sunny days for all of us!

Jane said...

Wow, what a job you guys pulled to save all of these beautiful plants! Let us know how your weather was last night!

Cyber hugs from Jane

Susie said...

Betsy I can feel your pain. Day before yesterday we took all the plants in at work. Yesterday we had to take them all back out. Needless to say, my muscles are on the sore side this a.m.

Jessica said...

Boy, you really worked hard to save all those beautiful plants. I hope all your hard work was successful. I woke up to 22 degrees this morning. But I don't have much up yet to worry about. Your spring growth is way ahead of ours. Good Luck!

dot said...

Oh my! Unbelievable how many rose bushes and all you two have. I like the block border by the swang.

Mary said...

Glad it wasn't as bad as you feared! That is a lot of plants to try to protect!

NCmountainwoman said...

We aren't out of the woods yet, but the temperatures didn't drop as much as feared. It was quite strange to see snow here in April.

Deborah Godin said...

Hope all is well, you've had some tense moments, I can see!!

Busy Bee Suz said...

That is a lot of work for you both...I will be over around lunch time to help...who is cooking???

I hope all the little buds made it through!!!
We have a similar maneuver when a hurricane is coming...well with the potted stuff anyway.

I Am Woody said...

My word, you guys worked hard! I have had a fire for the last 2 days too. I'm hoping for some warmth today. And I'm hoping my hostas made it. I was a very bad girl and nothing got covered:(

Pat - Arkansas said...

WOW! You had a lot of plants to protect, but it will be worth it in the long run. We came through unscathed here; no snow, no hard freeze, although it did come close. I love your landscaping. I know you live in a naturally lovely place, but it's evident that you and George have put in a LOT of work on your garden.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

You went to a lot of work to protect the plants,I hope you will begenerously rewarded with loads of lovely flowers.
Blessings,Ruth

SmilingSally said...

So much work, but it'll be worth it.

Diane AZ said...

Interesting to see the before and after pictures. With all that tender loving care your plants are sure to have the best possible outcome. Can't wait to see some of those roses blooming!

Janie said...

I'm glad to hear the freeze wasn't as hard as anticipated, Betsy. You certainly took precautions with all the potted plants inside. Hope the outdoors plants weathered the heavy snow okay.

Pigeon said...

That cold snowy weather really created a lot of extra work. We were expecting 6-12 inches of snow but I think we only got around 3 or4. I hope this was that last snow of the season.

Dave's Bird Watching Blog said...

Looks like that ole freeze made a lot of work for you guys! Maybe the hanging baskets can just live inside permanently. :-)

Jayne said...

I just prayed and went to bed Betsy. Didn't cover a thang. This morning, the thermometer said 32.9 and I took that as a sign! It DID NOT get BELOW freezing....lololol! It snowed here too all day on and off, but now it's back up to 60 and the threat is gone. Whew. Now I can actually sleep tonight. :c)

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

Love your blog....so glad I came by for a visit..Hope you will stop by my blog. I am a new blogger. This is my second month in the world of BLOG. I am great give away this month. This drawing will be the last day of April.
Every comment you leave throughout the month will enter your name in the drawing. This NEW blogger was so touched by all the comments I got on the Blog Party Give Away,(over 300) that I decided to make this a monthly GIFT...
Also, if you mention blog telling about the monthly giveaway, you will have your name entered 10 extra times...Just be sure and let me know that you did. How is that for an incentive?
I was so blown away by all the responses that I wanted to email each person personally... I did love reading all of them..I am continuing to introduce my family members. In May, there will be some fun blogs coming from Disney World with the grandkids. I hope to blog every night, in case you like a good trip report. And there will also be a great Disney giveaway.
I am so thankful for all my new friends.

.

Becca's Dirt said...

Great pics Betsy. Too bad about the snow - I know you like me are ready for some warm spring/summer temps. I am so tired of the cold this year. You have lots of plants to protect - glad you were able to cover them. I can't wait to see the clematis and the roses. Hope today is better weather.

Leedra said...

Well, I didn't cover anything. The main things I was concerned about were the iris and fruit trees. Way too many iris to cover and there is not way to keep the fruit blooms from freezing. Totally forgot about my hostas until you mentioned them.

Got up early this morning (not much sleep) and took off to Cades Cove. First got snow and water pics, then did get some wildflowers. I WILL be going back for wildflowers in the next couple of weeks.

Suppose to be 70 tomorrow.

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Unknown said...

I did see my name mentioned, sorry I didn't write anything about it. I have also had a sick child vomiting and fever 101.6 for the last two days...........hopefully she will be in school tomorrow!!

EG CameraGirl said...

What an experience. I hope that's the last of the freezes and that spring is warmer from now on!

Judy said...

We had the snow, too. It is supposed to frost here again tonight. I have been outside covering up stuff for the third night and have some in the house, too, but not nearly as many as you have. Hope you both have a wonderful Easter.

Connie said...

Oh gee, I hope everything comes through without any damage. Such a lot of work. Bring on those warmer temperatures!

Sunny said...

That's a whole lot of work!

I love the before and after photos of your flowers!

Femin Susan said...

The weather can change any second. You have read my post know, You can guess what a lightening or thunder it must have been to fuss my tv. Though it rain in my place a little . it feels like we are being fried in a frying pan.
Cheers!

Jen said...

Oh gosh that was a lot of work covering all those up, but I know it will be worth it.
Good thing we don't have to let the birds in! ha.

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

I truly hope that all the plants make it....m.

Diane said...

Betsy, do you think things will ever be "normal"? I'm afraid that when it warms up it will be 95 degrees and I'll die from the heat.

Cicero Sings said...

What a lot of work. I do hope your weather settles down soon!

Anonymous said...

You were totally prepared Betsy. How cool to have been there for the things that you love.

Small City Scenes said...

Oh Brrrrrr!!! Well you are right---at least you didn't get a big freeze. the snow won't bother the plants too much. what a lot of work moving so much but well worth it. Some of my Hosta are just poking out of the ground. It is such a neat time of the year. We had snow in April (almost unheard of) last year and the TV weatherman keeps mentioning that and grinning. What does THAT mean???

Regarding the house in my header--
That is a neat turn of the century house and barn in the header and not mine. It is down in the valley and I live up in the foothills. but I do call the valley my backyard. Or front yard. MB

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

What a lot of work and your the one who likes snow.