A snow covered garden is definitely an unaccustomed sight on my corner of Katy ... so pardon my giddy rhapsodizing and enjoy a rarely seen view of the gardens here at Wit's End. The first and second videos were taken on Friday afternoon and are not my best work but hey, it's hard to focus the camera and keep it moving steadily and gracefully when you're in the throes of a snow-induced euphoria! The third video was taken early this morning and I was very happy to come inside and have a cup of hot coffee by the time I finished. By this afternoon, there was only one small patch of snow left on the ground but the plants were showing the effects of a true hard freeze. It's been so long since we had one that I'd forgotten just how much damage a real freeze could do. On a happy note, though, you'll hear me fretting on the 3rd video about the plants I'd set out into the garden on Thursday, and my fears that they had succumbed to the cold. Most of those had bounced back quite nicely by late afternoon today.
It was interesting to watch and read the meteorologists' explanations of how this storm developed. It truly is a "perfect storm" situation: more often than not, the cold dry air of an Arctic front arrives before or after moisture in the atmosphere's middle and upper levels does. On Friday morning, though, the Arctic air arrived in Houston in tandem with a low-pressure system in the middle and upper atmospheric levels, thus creating an unprecedentedly early snowfall. In fact, according to today's Houston Chronicle, Houston beats Chicago as far as seasonal snowfall this winter! It's pretty freaky that I've had more snow thus far than my friends Mr. McGregor's Daughter, Ramble on Rose and Prairie Rose but I have no illusions that I'll hold that distinction for long!
It was interesting to watch and read the meteorologists' explanations of how this storm developed. It truly is a "perfect storm" situation: more often than not, the cold dry air of an Arctic front arrives before or after moisture in the atmosphere's middle and upper levels does. On Friday morning, though, the Arctic air arrived in Houston in tandem with a low-pressure system in the middle and upper atmospheric levels, thus creating an unprecedentedly early snowfall. In fact, according to today's Houston Chronicle, Houston beats Chicago as far as seasonal snowfall this winter! It's pretty freaky that I've had more snow thus far than my friends Mr. McGregor's Daughter, Ramble on Rose and Prairie Rose but I have no illusions that I'll hold that distinction for long!
Comments
Just think of all the new plants you'll get to buy!
MMD's comment about snow being a good insulator is very helpful advice; you might be surprised at what can survive. Glad to know that most of the plants came back by late afternoon!
MMD and Rose, I'd heard that about snow but never gotten to experience it firsthand. It certainly held true with the herbs, poppies, lobelias and violas. Whew! Hey, I'm updating the post to include Rose and I'll add links for y'all.
I do like the new blog design. It freshened it up.
www.homesurfacesdirect.com
Jean
p.s. Try Wild Birds Unlimited or the Wild Bird Center for one of those feeder poles.
FGG, the sound of shoes crunching on the snow is a novel one for us. I think next summer when the weather turns evil, I'll replay these videos and see if it cools me off.
HSD, it would have been nice if the snow stuck around, I agree.
Jean, there are a lot fewer blooms than there were pre-snow! This Bloom Day I may have more roses than anything else.
Gail, I just did a follow-up post today. The garden looks a lot worse than it actually is. I hope that continues to be the case!
Kathy, that frigid air does indeed take a real toll on the plants. It's been very educational to see how they respond.
Cheryl, I'm sorry you lost so many plants. I'm still surprised that Austin didn't get snow.
Dee, I thoroughly enjoyed my snow experience. If I had to do it on a regular basis, I'm sure it would lose its charm!