Warmth Not Welcome At The Moment

(Editor’s note: The warm weather caught garden columnist Phyllis Stephens a little by surprise. Hence, the second part of her two-part series on planting flower and vegetable seeds indoors will appear next Friday. Those who need to get their seeds planted to ensure an early enough transplant into the garden, can call the Master Gardeners program at WSU/Spokane County Extension Service, 533-2048, for advice.)

The clouds are quickly moving across the sky, pushed by a warm, southerly wind. There is a gentle rain. The grass is green and spring bulbs are breaking through the soil.

It’s a perfect spring day. There is, however, a little snag in this picture - it’s still the dead of winter.

Is trouble a brewin’ for our sleeping plants? Hopefully not. It takes a lot more than just a few days of warm weather to wake up most plants in our yards. However, spring bulbs (tulips, crocus, etc.) will always be the exception.

As soon as the days start turning warm, these nosy fellows send their leaves up out of the ground like periscopes. With the first hint of returning freezing temperatures, the leaves send a message back to the bulb saying, “Hit the brakes. Shut down all growth. Cold is coming.” And that’s exactly what they do.

When the weather starts warming again, the bulbs start growing again. The only part of the bulb that pays the piper for its curiosity is the exposed part - the leaves.

Frosted leaves usually become ripped and torn. The bulb itself should be just fine, as long as it doesn’t sit in water. Saturated bulbs will rot.

If these mild temperatures continue, apricots, nectarines and peaches also could experience some troubles. These normally hardy specimens have one potentially serious failing. They can break dormancy when exposed to consecutive days of 45 degrees and above. Once awakened, they’re up for good. They don’t go back into dormancy. In this vulnerable condition, freezing temperatures can damage the blossoms, twigs and branches or kill the entire plant. There is really nothing that can be done. This is why they are such marginal plants for our area.

The health of our miniature roses is a concern. If you covered them, you had best uncover them. (Miniature roses only!). There’s a little hot house cooking under that mulch. Some of my plants are sprouting leaves and buds. If we’re hit with a deep freeze, I’ll throw a blanket over them and pray.

Hybrid roses are also out on a limb if temperatures should drop below zero for any length of time. But at least their bud unions are covered with one foot of soil. Right? Any damage to the canes from extreme cold weather can be pruned this spring when we do our annual spring pruning.

Rhododendrons can still benefit from a coating of an anti-dessicant, such as Wilt-Pruf. This material helps keep moisture in the leaves, thus preventing dehydration. Though we’ve had lots of rain, check rhodies. Those under canopies of trees or under the eaves of the house may not be getting enough water. Take advantage of the warm days and water the broad leaf evergreens.

Forsythia and lilacs are on their own if hit by a deep freeze. However, we can take advantage of the swollen buds of the forsythia by forcing them to flower indoors.

Prune a few branches from the forsythia bush. Prepare the cut end by making two or three 1-inch cuts up the stem from the base. Soak the entire branch in a warm water bath for two to three hours. Place them in a container of water and set them in a warm room. Change the water often and mist the buds to prevent dehydration. In one to five weeks you should have a corner bursting with fragrant yellow blossoms.

The swollen buds and leaves of plants are a major concern when we are still in the dead of winter. However, many times it’s the roots that take the beating. Through the action of freezing and thawing, the ground expands and contracts. Roots break and tear. Plants may be injured or killed.

On that cheery note, have a good day and remember: The winter of ‘97-‘98 is simply another interesting season in the Inland Northwest. This isn’t the first year like this, nor will it be the last. Most trees, shrubs and flowers will survive no matter what Mother Nature throws our way. If we lose a few plants, que sera, sera.

Enjoy the warm weather and keep your fingers and toes crossed for continued mild weather.

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Phyllis Stephens The Spokesman-Review