Light Up the Night

If you manage the temerity to dash outside this evening, I would highly recommend plugging in a set of non-LED Christmas lights to tuck around the tender plants.  Not only will it protect them from our incoming snow (?!?), but it will also be a nice sparkly alternative to that old Strawberry Shortcake comforter.  Perhaps a quick check to remove dry, flammable material would be a good idea, too.  I can't imagine anything out there still being dry, but what's a suggestion without a disclaimer?  Bundle up and enjoy paging through all the plant catalogs coming through the mail!

Jack Frost Makes a Rare Visit

*UPDATE* 01.04.09  The photo above is my entry in Gardening Gone Wild's January "Picture This" photo contest.  Welcome, GGW fans!  Now back to our regularly scheduled program...

Wow, I must be saying I love California weather too much because here comes Mother Nature to knock me down a few notches!   Frost crystals enveloped the backyard and the seeds I had planted and carefully set at the side of the house were little soil Popsicles.  Although I don't think the seeds mind as I see a few little sprouts of Nemophila trying to stick it out.

Thankfully I don't have any frost tender plants, but I've heard that a helpful and decorative solution is to string the sensitive ones with Christmas tree lights.  Especially appropriate this time of year, no?  LEDs won't work very well, as the bulbs need to generate heat to keep the plant toasty. I'm sure the plants would love the opportunity to feel festive! 

Even the weeds in the backyard look better for the additional frosty bling.  Looks like after our cold-spell, the rains are a'comin'.  Batten down the hatches!  It's planting season!