Still green!
 

I can't believe, that on Dec. 4th, we still haven't had a freeze. I once read, some years ago, that our first average frost date was supposed to be Oct. 20. I think it has become a little later in the last few years. I usually have gotten by untl Election Day. (varies Nov. 2 to 8)

Here is one of my Basjoos, in the ground, on Dec. 4.

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Some of the leaves got broken, but that was from the weight of the snow, during the freak storm we had on Oct, 29, and not from the cold.

Re: Still green!
 

I am amazed that you have not gotten frost yet. I live almost directly east of you, about 90 miles or so. The ocean must have more effect than we realize since we have had multiple nights with some temps getting as low as 26 degrees. I've had my basjoos covered for some time now.

Re: Still green!
 

Water has an enormous effect. My backyard is routinely 5-7 degrees warmer at night than my work which is 15 miles to the southeast. During a freeze event, my backyard is routinely 10 degrees warmer. It's amazing how much of a difference little changes in microclimate can make on night time temperatures. I have seen bare wet ground underneath plants be the difference between frozen plants and unfrozen plants

Re: Still green!
 

John, strange, huh? I live in Alabama, a mile or so north of the Gulf of Mexico. In the early morning of Dec 1st we had either a frost or a freeze because most everything is brown.

Re: Still green!
 

We had our third morning of frost this morning, the first being 11/8. We got cool earlier than normal but then had a warm period. I noticed this morning that some of my pitanga (Surinam cherry) that bloomed late have finally ripened up. :) Won't be as lucky with most of the banana fruits I've got hanging. :(

Re: Still green!
 

I had two nights of light frost November 30 and December 1st. It hurt most of my peppers except the two closest to the asphalt road. Also wilted a very large EE that volunteered in the garden and I just never pulled it up. It knocked my collards down a bit but they picked back up as soon as the frost melted away. It did not appear to have any effect on my bananas.

Re: Still green!
 

My daddy always said that the collards and turnip greens were better after thay had been hit by a frost, a little sweeter. I didn't have any frost until the early morning of Dec 1st, but it was heavy enough that everything is brown now with the exception of my peppers. I don't understand why but I seem to be a few degrees colder than Mobile and I'm several miles south of there down almost to the coast, maybe a couple of miles from the coast. Quiet a cold front that came through last night. Yesterday afternoon actually. We had 53 degrees and Pensacola was 72 at about 4 pm.

I had a couple of gourds that I was hoping would mature before frost, but they bit the dust.

What's an EE?

Re: Still green!
 

Yes I have always heard that. I picked Georgia Collards, Purple Top Turnips and Sugar Snap Peas this afternoon with my daughter. We both agreed it was way too cold that late in the afternoon to be picking. We picked between 1530 and 1700 when it got dark. Still have a half a 90' row of sugar snaps to pick. I have four 90" rows of collards anf two 90' rows of turnips. Needless to say we did not even put a dent them.

Chance I think that there are two factors effecting you. Almost all fronts come from the NW of you and bypass the heat island that is Mobile. In the city it can be several degrees warmer in the winter gue to the mass of concrete and buildings that absorb heat all day and then release it at night. The other factor is that the heat from the water is being blown away from you. I'm sure you've noticed that when we get a SE wind the humidity goes way up along with the tempearure.

Yes it was and I'm still cold from picking this afternoon!

Elephant Ear! LOL First time I saw it I had no idea either.

Re: Still green!
 

Terry, where do you live in Alabama? My home is in Gulf Shores.
Bo

Re: Still green!
 

Hey, We're almost neighbors. I'm across the bay from you, NW of Dauphin Island in Bayou La Batre, "The Seafood Capital of Alabama". As the crow flies, I'm about a mile or two from the gulf. No beautiful beaches like Gulf Shores, but some good fishing.

Terry

Re: Still green!
 

We will have to get together next summer with Darkman and Jose. There are several members from our area.
Bo

Re: Still green!
 

Things are still green here too! My Mandevilla, geraniums, and some other annuals (like Lantana) are still in bloom and my ginger only had some minor frost damage. We did have a frost and my basjoos were toasted, but the basjoos have a new leaf coming up and most of the frost tender plants are still alive and well. My Elephant ears only have a little damage and Mexican Petunias dont have any damage at all. Im about 2 blocks away from the ocean.
Tonight is cold though and at 3:30 Am, I noticed some ice on my back deck which means that we are below freezing and my plants will probably be toast in the morning).

Not bad for almost mid December! Only 2 more months of cold before things start to head toward spring (and about 4 months till we can have all the plants back outside again with no worry of frost!)