Oh, the weather outside is frightful....but don't do what I did!

[bigbubbacain]

Thanks for writing back! I hope the depot in my area carries the other ones. Hope the t-shirts work for you. I took a look under some of my pots and it seems that everything is ok.

[Dukerdawg]

Keith, I know whatcha mean! Living in da UP you know not to trust an early heat wave. I did put a dozen Silvery Fir Trees out in the GH hoping for late Apr/early May tomatoes. Put a blanket over them last nite and they came out fine. I also started some peas and lettuce in the GH. The peas are starting to come up already. It's nice to try getting a jump on the season. Hopefully it works out. But regardless we are getting closer to planting out time and that is a good thing!

Duane

[veggie babe]

It snowed all day in Rusk, Texas. Glad I'm late this year, last year this time I had maters in the ground. I will wait until later in the week to plant my babies. What a year, next I will be gripping about 100+ weather and no rain.

Neva

[BlackestKrim]

I save kitty litter buckets... if you don't have cats you can often get them free on Craigslist or on Freecycle.

They were perfect for wind/free protecting my tomatoes, especially since most of mine are over 1' tall and would be smushed by sheets or plastic. I put rocks on top of them to keep the buckets in place.

In 40mph gusts fabric often just acts like a sail and lifts off. even with rocks pinning it down. If it doesn't fly off, it can whack against the plants in the high winds and break off branches. I was used to using cloths in Houston; the gusty wind in the Hill Country is better suited to hard-sided protectors.

[hornstrider]

Maters survived. We indeed did have a freeze last night. I just finished removing all of the t shirts I used to protect the plants, and my maters look happy, and healthy. I believe my system works. It protects my plants from high winds, and light freezes. My system allows me to plant out a little earlier.......... If mother nature decides to hit us again w/ a freeze I am prepared for it. I will remove the plastic as soon as I feel the weather is freeze free. If anyone is interested I will be happy to discuss further if any inerest. Note: scroll further down to see my latest pictures.
http://www.psgtee.com/polor.html

[mtbigfish]

My Dr friend that has her practice here in So Calif but lives in East Texas couldn't get a flight out this AM(snowed in) so had to cancel all her appts today.

When I heard that I tell ya I felt for all you Texans - hope you make it through it or should I say your plants
Dennis

[Mojo]

Originally Posted by bigbubbacain

Where is Tomato Thrive sold in Houston?

Um, now where did I get that? Either from Buchanan's or from Southwest Fertilizer, one of those two definitely.

[bigbubbacain]

Thanks Mojo! I'll be looking for it.

The plants and I are all feeling much better now. I only lost two plants, and not from the cold. They snapped after having been tucked under large pots.

[dustdevil]

Sometimes the snapped pieces can be planted and they'll develop roots...

[Mojo]

I went and checked: it IS at Buchanan's.

Got home today, laid down Thrive, Medina Plus, a bit of humate and a bit of fish emulsion --all reasonably dilute, of course. Everyone looked to be in good shape, but I did replant some of the leggier ones trench-style for my own peace of mind. (The cukes did look a bit worse for wear, though; and one of my Thai peppers actually did take some major damage but is leafy enough to handle it.)