Winter Weather...

Is it a bird?  Is it a plane?

No...it’s a frozen puddle, in our driveway. 

We’ve been having sub-freezing weather,

here in Texas. 

This is the third one, this winter. 

I know. You up North are saying waaa...waaa. 

But, we just don’t expect this much cold. 

Of course, in between these cold spells, we’re getting up to 70s. 

To say the plants...and, animals...are confused,

is an understatement. 

All the gardeners here are hoping for the best. 

Not sure how much will have to be replaced, come Spring. 

But, Nature’s artwork is interesting. 

I think I’ve shown you Frost Weed before. 

In deep cold, the stems burst and this cotton candy looking stuff 

comes out. When the temperature goes up,

or the sun hits it, it dissolves. 

This was a couple weeks ago. These stayed for a couple days. 

We stayed below freezing. 

So, we just hope for the best. 

And...we’ll enjoy sunshine and 70 degrees again this weekend. 

It’s never boring, at least. 

Hope it’s good weather where you are. 

Happy Gardening

~~ Linda~~

Frosty Mornings...

Maybe it's because I just never noticed.

Or, maybe it was because the grasses in the Deer Grove

were all pushed over or washed away,

in the Halloween Flood.

Or, maybe I was looking out the window,

at just the right time.

But, I got to see the Frostweed, when it was doing its thing.

I was looking out the kitchen window,

and I could see something white in the Grove.

It was 24 degrees.

Yes...not bad, considering the blizzard going on 

in the Northeast.

So, I grabbed my camera and went out to investigate.

Sure enough...it was the Frostweed.

Frostweed (Verbesina virginica) stores water in its stems.

When the temperature gets really low,

the stems burst open, and the water comes out and freezes.

I didn't touch it. But, it looks like shaving cream.

When I went out a couple hours later, 

the foam was gone....as if it never was there.

Isn't Nature interesting?

I searched my files, and couldn't find one photo of this

plant in summer.

So, I borrowed one from the Wildflower site.

www.wildflower.org

It's a nice looking plant, although unremarkable until it blooms.

The white bloom clusters are nice.

It blooms in early fall.

In the Grove, it lives without much water....none at all in most summers.

And, the deer don't touch it.

Maybe I need to move one up to the house.  

Not sure how well it might transplant.

*****************

We haven't had any real rain in a while.

Less than a tenth of an inch, over a week ago.

We're supposed to be getting more rain than usual,

because of El Nino.

We'll have to water soon, if nothing happens.

*****************

I hope you're safe a warm where you are.

'Til next time...

Happy Gardening...

~~Linda~~