Through the Window

This morning, I cleaned the garden window and enjoyed the garden from my indoor rattan chair with a cup of hot herb tea—it’s still too cold to go out. Okay it was in the 50’s and I’ll soon get acclimated to the cooler weather but not just yet.

Our last several nights have been unseasonably cold—in the 30’s, so I’ve taken all the hanging pots down and covered all the plants (except for the really tall ones) with old sheets. I’ve read quite a few organizing and simpler life books that would have me get rid of those old sheets but without them, the plants would have been very cold. After the first night the plants were bowed down by the weight of the sheets; the next nights I first draped the sheets over the balcony rail before spreading them over the “carpet” of plants (there’s no room to walk when they’re huddled). That took some of the load off but required a third sheet. The Angelonia usually does fine even after a frost or two (covered) but the Angel Face variety is looking rather limp so I think I need to go ahead make a place for it indoors. I rarely carry plants back and forth anymore. After a certain point, they come in to stay until spring or they take their chances outdoors.

I was amazed to discover in botany class that it’s not the “frost” or coldness, itself that causes damage to tender plants but dehydration. I don’t remember all the intricacies but the cold dries out the plants and soil so they’ll endure low temperatures far better if they’re well-watered. Though there is a freeze-protection method of spraying water on orange trees to ice them over, most plants don’t have such thick or tough leaves so it’s best to keep your watering to the soil.

It looks empty downstairs without our neighbor or her plants. I’ll miss her. New neighbors are coming soon. I’m praying for quiet, friendly gardeners.

I guess I’d better “bundle up” soon and water those thirsty plants.