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Sunday, April 15, 2018

Spring Ice Storm 2018 - Garden Woes

This isn't the first time I've experienced snow/ice in mid-spring.

I have recollections of snow falling in May. Global climate change may be a factor but I think this is just a strange meteorological blip.


Our gardens are covered in little ice pellets.


Nonetheless, not to fret. I post this as friends have contacted me worried about what they should do with the garden.


The interesting fact is: snow and ice are great insulators as long as the ice coating around the foliage and flowers will thaw in a day or so. It's the COconcentration that remains in the cell structure of the plant that is more worrisome.

Citrus growers and fruit farms use sprinkler systems to ward off heavy frost damage.

Ice is a good thing. Frost isn't.


Ice insulates as it prevents cell tissues from bursting or getting damaged from frost - frigid below -0°C temperatures.



As the ice rain pelts down, I continue to read the weather reports indicating the ice rain will turn into just rain later this evening. That's a good thing. Temps are to go up to 7°C. It will melt quickly. Hoping for the best and looking forward to seeing how resilient my bulbs/plants are.

#whereareyouspring ?