Subscribe to Northern Gardener
Subscribe My Northern Garden
-
Category Archives: Weather
Hoar Frost in February
Fog persisted into afternoon and ice crystals clung to grass, wondering, “Where is winter?”
Big Changes for Minnesota in New Hardiness Zone Map
A sliver of Minnesota is officially in USDA Zone 5, according to the new hardiness zone map released today by the USDA, the first update to the map since 1990. Beyond that corner of Jackson and Martin Counties going officially … Continue reading
Winter Weirdness
I’m not sure which is more disconcerting–that I spent 15 minutes outside today wearing only a cardigan and was comfortable doing it, or that I found an unusual number of signs of life in the garden. Just a reminder: It’s … Continue reading
What to Do in the Garden This Weekend
It’s still a bit nippy, but the wind has died down and an absolutely perfect weekend is on hand. What to do in the garden? Plant bulbs, turn the compost, harvest vegetables. I offered a few suggestions in a recent … Continue reading
Posted in Fall Gardening, Weather
1 Comment
2.5 Inches — and Counting??
We got a real soaking rain Friday—2.5 inches in my very unofficial rain guage— accompanied by thunder and lightning. The plants are already just on the brink of water-sogged, so I’m hoping that the 30 percent chance of precipitation predicted … Continue reading
Posted in Weather
2 Comments
Hoar Frost on the Garden
We had our first display of hoar frost today. This is why I leave some flowers and seed heads out for winter interest. When the plants are colder than the dew point and air temperatures are also low, ice crystals … Continue reading
Posted in Weather, Winter interest
1 Comment
The Bright Side of the Blizzard
According to weather guru Paul Douglas, the blizzard that paralyzed the southern half of Minnesota and Wisconsin yesterday dumped 11.5 inches of snow on Northfield by 5 p.m. Saturday. My hunch (and my sore back!) suggest it might have been … Continue reading
Posted in Northfield, Shrubs, Weather
2 Comments
The Wrong Kind of Snow for Gardeners
I’ve waxed poetic in the past about how pretty some plants look wearing little snow caps and the magical quality of plants covered in hoar frost. Yes, winter in the northern garden can be beautiful. But, not with the kind … Continue reading
Posted in Weather
5 Comments
First Frost
The yard was largely cloaked in white this morning as we received our first frost. I covered some of my showier annuals and the herb bed, which is still doing well. I love the look of frost clinging to blooms … Continue reading
Posted in Weather
2 Comments
5.5 inches, and counting??!
I’m not sure I completely believe my rain gauge, but when I went out to walk our dog at 7 a.m., it had 5.5 inches of water in it. In other words, it was almost overflowing. Given how hard and … Continue reading
Posted in Weather
6 Comments