"Frost Free" this winter

In East Texas the first frost usually doesn't come until closer to Thanksgiving. Then we have "Indian Summer" for a few weeks until Christmas. Now is the time to protect your garden against frost this winter. We all have our favorite plants and flowers that we love to see come back every year. When buying the plants, you should always check the care tags to make sure they are tolerant for the zone we live in. We are in zone 8a/8b. We sort of straddle the border of both zones. So your plants should be tolerant to 15 degrees if you plan to leave them outdoors  .Plant Zone Map  My favorites are Knock Out Roses.  Very hardy and bloom like crazy!

Here is an example of a hedge row of knock out roses. The next picture is an example of frost bitten/frozen plants.

It only takes a few hours to get your garden ready for the whole winter. Every yard has micro climates all around the area. Examine your yard, looking to see which way the sun rises and sets. Look for shady areas and full sun areas. Plants on the North side of the house need more protection than the South side. Pine straw, leaves, mulch and those kinds of things can be used to cover the roots and keep them from the cold. Some bedding plants will come back after the winter if you cover them good with a thick layer of these items. Sometimes this East Texas weather tricks our plants. During Indian Summer where the temps can get back in the 70's, our plants think it's spring. After this a frost comes and shocks them. The yard and plants need to be allowed to go into a dormant stage for winter. Sort of like hibernation. If your plants are in pots, they can be kept in the house until Spring. In front of a window, or a well lit room. If you see signs of frost, do not prune off immediately. Wait until Spring, after the weather warms up to see if there is any new growth. If you don't see any growth at that time, then you can prune it back.

This is what the mulch around the roots of shrubs should look like. A good thick covering. Here is a link to native Texas plants. Native East Texas Plants   It is easier to make the best of your garden if you have chosen the right plants to begin with. In the next 2 weeks we need to start winterizing. Put out the proper protection for your landscape, making sure all your plants are ready for the freezing weather ahead. Then sit back, relax through the winter enjoying your coffee or cocoa until Spring when the fun begins again.