Did we hit freezing in North Texas? Fall garden update! BRRRR
Did we had a freeze last night or even a frost? Not quite and I’m thankful but we are enjoying these cooler temps. What’s in store for us in the coming week? Will we have a cold winter? How did our chicks fair?
Graham got down to 36. My kale is standing up and happy this morning. It is from last fall, made it through the hot summer (in shade and after being cut way back), and last night's cool has it looking new again.
My lows just before sunrise this morning at my place in Arlington were 41 inside the open-air chicken coop, 42 inside the hoop house at 3 foot above grade, and 41 at 6 foot above grade open air in the garden. Soil temps are all still above 60, so all good. Just dry as heck. I watered everything real well yesterday and set up a couple of windbreaks, just in case, but didn't actually cover anything. All good so far. Again, just so very dry. That lettuce you have looks like a beautiful tile mosaic. It should be a painting! Well done, girlfriend! My little dogs got two rats last night and chased off a little possum. Getting those terriers to come out this morning was hard though. They don't have much hair anyway, and really would rather snuggle under the covers on cold days. Hubs is happy to oblige them and joins them. 🤣 I let the hens out early and my word, but they were sure eager. At least they enjoy the cooler temps. Your young ladies look lively and healthy. I'm excited to see how you and the fam like keeping them. Pops might be the kind that dotes on the girls. I was surprised when it turned out my Hubs was the first to name our ladies and how much he spoils them with treats and talks purty to them. It's sweet to watch him with them, although I'm still the only one that gets hands-on. He mostly admires at a distance, but he's quick to alert me if one doesn't seem to be acting right or looks poorly. He really gets worried if one doesn't seem to be doing well. Such a softie. I'm thinking about when I should put the plastic on the hoophouse. I guess I'll just wait for the temps to get lower than 80 for the days, or if it looks like we really might be getting down into the 30s most nights? What do y'all think? Mostly cold hardy greens and root crops in there, although I'm going to attempt to overwinter some more tender things as a test. I've got a lot of plumeria in big pots, some I'm planning on chopping down a bit and rooting from those cuttings. Some are so big I can't get them inside at all anymore. If I lose them I'll be sad, but they all came from the single plant I bought years ago, so as long as I keep a couple I'll never run out of cuttings. Also a couple of pepper plants I want to cut back and try overwintering. Got some lemon grass starts, perennial herbs like rosemary, a couple of ornamental hibiscus in very large pots, a couple of Rose-of-Sharon mini-trees in big pots, and big aloe vera plants to attempt at saving. I plan on having backups of my most treasured plants in the house under lights, but I have so many plants there simply isn't enough room indoors for everything. I'm really hoping the thermal mass of all those big black grow bags and pots will keep the hoophouse above freezing at night, but I can run a cord out there for a small heater if I must. I really hate to do that, as I'm traumatized by previous experiences with fire. I got one of those outdoor propane heaters, but again, not crazy about the idea. Suggestions? We are smoking a bunch of meat today to have put back for when it gets too cold to cook out. Bought a lot of briskets, butts, ribs, and such when they were on sale and stashed in the freezer just for this purpose. This morning I canned a lot of meat I ground myself, made some loose sausage and froze it in portions ready to use when we want it. Got my next batch brining in the fridge for the smoker tomorrow, mostly the last of my spring meat birds and some more ribs and brisket. I am so glad I started to spatchcock ALL my meat birds! They stack in the freezer so much better than whole, and we waste less than when I part them out at slaughter. I can still use the bones and carcasses to make broth afterwards, so nothing gets lost. Just overall saves space and is more efficient during a time when I'm so dang busy with other stuff. Stay warm and busy, dear Jill! Hugs and love.
North Florida at 46 but it says it will feel 35.I walk with friends early in the morning and it was WINDY and Cold ! Suppose to get no higher than 65 today.I LOVE IT!!! I have cold weather crops planted so I don't have to worry about them.
In central Oklahoma, they say we hit 29 but I’m not seeing freeze damage yet so I’m not sure what my little corner of the county hit—by afternoon I’ll see dead leaves if that was correct. My husband got home in time yesterday that we covered bush & pole beans, sweet potatoes, & delicata squash. Seriously hoping they made it to improve the chances of a fall harvest. Our “normal” first frost is November 2nd so this was early here too.
Jill, your lettuces look beautiful! That high tunnel looks impressive! Can’t wait until we get a house soon so I can have a high tunnel. Purple hull peas looking good! Nice pumpkin too! Just wondering if our melons will survive. We planted them from the melons we bought at the store. Stay blessed my friend 🛐✝️💟
35 this morning in Lewisville with no frost. I'm glad I did a heavy pepper harvest yesterday, though! The tomatoes never did really bounce back after the summer heat, but they are still producing a little. Your squash are beautiful!
DFW is in such a unique place geography speaking, our weather is a non stop fight between the humid coastal low pressure from the south, hot dry pressure from the deserts to the west and cool dry air from the north. Most areas have more consistent seasons, they can rely on cold winters north of us and warm winters south of us. Here in DFW we are lucky to get two weeks of consistent weather any time of year, we just get hit from all directions year round, it’s always exciting, we set records every single year for one thing or another.
I am trying to leep my lettuce alive outside in my beds by frost covering but it was 22 last night here in Illinois so we will see but your lettuce looks beautiful!!
I missed you the passed two days. I looked at the temps early, early this morning, but can't remember. The forecast was 38. I know it didn't freeze. I went out just a little while ago to turn all my stalk planters. Have you planted your garlic yet? I've gotten mine to plant, just haven't yet. Have a great day and thanks for the videos. Vickie
Just got a frost warning for my area tonight! That is so unheard of here along the southeastern coast. But my collards will taste much better after the frost!
This is my first full fall garden and I can't believe how much my broccoli and zucchini seemed to LOVE those low temps last night. They look bigger and happier this morning 😊
Weather app said we here in Kaufman would get down to 34 by early morning this morning. I covered as many tomato plants as I had material for and hoped they were correct. Thermometer on back patio was at 32 when I got up. Tomatoes that were covered were fine. Some of the uncovered ones got frost bit at the tops and some uncovered cucumbers got frost bit. The pole beans on a tunnel trellis came out just fine. Peppers survived too.
North East Texas – Tyler. 34 degree this am. Covered the tomatoes. The cabbage and turnips seem fine. Herbs survived as well, so I'm not seeing any damage, even the dill and basil.
We’re in Smith County, Tyler area. Our 15 ft banana trees got frostbite, lol. Soon be time to saw them down for the winter. We covered the garden plants so they’re ok. Even our bougainvillea survived so I don’t believe it was “cold” for long. 😊
We're in NE Tenn, Tue to tomorrow, Thur we had 30 with possibility of high 20s – a few flakes of snow yesterday and the high was 40. It's supposed to go back up to 74 degrees next week and I'll didn't get to fix my DIY greenhouse so I'll do that on the weekend and plant more greens that I didn't get in the ground with trying to save the plants that will over winter and clear out the peppers and summer plants. We're about a week and a half early to the predicted first frost. Doing good here!
34 this morning in Reno, northeast Parker county. I did not cover anything, peppers, tomatoes, green beans, squash, etc. All is well because we have no moisture in the air and the 34 deg temp wasn't but 22 minutes long.
32 Comments
Got down to 20 here in Mo. Blessings ❤️
Graham got down to 36. My kale is standing up and happy this morning. It is from last fall, made it through the hot summer (in shade and after being cut way back), and last night's cool has it looking new again.
Same here! Stay warm friends.
Your chicks are growing fast!!
I believe we got down to 42 last night outside Houston.
It was 24 when I got up this morning in NWA yuck! Not ready for this!
My lows just before sunrise this morning at my place in Arlington were 41 inside the open-air chicken coop, 42 inside the hoop house at 3 foot above grade, and 41 at 6 foot above grade open air in the garden. Soil temps are all still above 60, so all good. Just dry as heck. I watered everything real well yesterday and set up a couple of windbreaks, just in case, but didn't actually cover anything. All good so far. Again, just so very dry.
That lettuce you have looks like a beautiful tile mosaic. It should be a painting! Well done, girlfriend!
My little dogs got two rats last night and chased off a little possum. Getting those terriers to come out this morning was hard though. They don't have much hair anyway, and really would rather snuggle under the covers on cold days. Hubs is happy to oblige them and joins them. 🤣
I let the hens out early and my word, but they were sure eager. At least they enjoy the cooler temps. Your young ladies look lively and healthy. I'm excited to see how you and the fam like keeping them. Pops might be the kind that dotes on the girls. I was surprised when it turned out my Hubs was the first to name our ladies and how much he spoils them with treats and talks purty to them. It's sweet to watch him with them, although I'm still the only one that gets hands-on. He mostly admires at a distance, but he's quick to alert me if one doesn't seem to be acting right or looks poorly. He really gets worried if one doesn't seem to be doing well. Such a softie.
I'm thinking about when I should put the plastic on the hoophouse. I guess I'll just wait for the temps to get lower than 80 for the days, or if it looks like we really might be getting down into the 30s most nights? What do y'all think? Mostly cold hardy greens and root crops in there, although I'm going to attempt to overwinter some more tender things as a test. I've got a lot of plumeria in big pots, some I'm planning on chopping down a bit and rooting from those cuttings. Some are so big I can't get them inside at all anymore. If I lose them I'll be sad, but they all came from the single plant I bought years ago, so as long as I keep a couple I'll never run out of cuttings. Also a couple of pepper plants I want to cut back and try overwintering. Got some lemon grass starts, perennial herbs like rosemary, a couple of ornamental hibiscus in very large pots, a couple of Rose-of-Sharon mini-trees in big pots, and big aloe vera plants to attempt at saving. I plan on having backups of my most treasured plants in the house under lights, but I have so many plants there simply isn't enough room indoors for everything. I'm really hoping the thermal mass of all those big black grow bags and pots will keep the hoophouse above freezing at night, but I can run a cord out there for a small heater if I must. I really hate to do that, as I'm traumatized by previous experiences with fire. I got one of those outdoor propane heaters, but again, not crazy about the idea. Suggestions?
We are smoking a bunch of meat today to have put back for when it gets too cold to cook out. Bought a lot of briskets, butts, ribs, and such when they were on sale and stashed in the freezer just for this purpose. This morning I canned a lot of meat I ground myself, made some loose sausage and froze it in portions ready to use when we want it. Got my next batch brining in the fridge for the smoker tomorrow, mostly the last of my spring meat birds and some more ribs and brisket. I am so glad I started to spatchcock ALL my meat birds! They stack in the freezer so much better than whole, and we waste less than when I part them out at slaughter. I can still use the bones and carcasses to make broth afterwards, so nothing gets lost. Just overall saves space and is more efficient during a time when I'm so dang busy with other stuff.
Stay warm and busy, dear Jill! Hugs and love.
Out here in the Permian Basin we hit 46° last night! As well as the few nights before! And after 2day,we will be back in the 85°ish range
Temps all over the place here in Texas. It was 29* here in Rusk county Texas this morning. My tomato plants were loaded with babies 🙁
Yep it was chilly in Euless Tx this morning , temperature was 41 degrees..😮
🤗 hello sweet sister in Texas
i am also in North TX and we escaped the freeze, but it certainly got cold. we had our heater on last night!
North Florida at 46 but it says it will feel 35.I walk with friends early in the morning and it was WINDY and Cold ! Suppose to get no higher than 65 today.I LOVE IT!!! I have cold weather crops planted so I don't have to worry about them.
In central Oklahoma, they say we hit 29 but I’m not seeing freeze damage yet so I’m not sure what my little corner of the county hit—by afternoon I’ll see dead leaves if that was correct. My husband got home in time yesterday that we covered bush & pole beans, sweet potatoes, & delicata squash. Seriously hoping they made it to improve the chances of a fall harvest. Our “normal” first frost is November 2nd so this was early here too.
41 degrees.
Jill, your lettuces look beautiful! That high tunnel looks impressive! Can’t wait until we get a house soon so I can have a high tunnel.
Purple hull peas looking good! Nice pumpkin too!
Just wondering if our melons will survive. We planted them from the melons we bought at the store.
Stay blessed my friend 🛐✝️💟
It was 30° here this morning in Upshur County.
35 this morning in Lewisville with no frost. I'm glad I did a heavy pepper harvest yesterday, though! The tomatoes never did really bounce back after the summer heat, but they are still producing a little. Your squash are beautiful!
That's a bummer!
DFW is in such a unique place geography speaking, our weather is a non stop fight between the humid coastal low pressure from the south, hot dry pressure from the deserts to the west and cool dry air from the north. Most areas have more consistent seasons, they can rely on cold winters north of us and warm winters south of us. Here in DFW we are lucky to get two weeks of consistent weather any time of year, we just get hit from all directions year round, it’s always exciting, we set records every single year for one thing or another.
I am trying to leep my lettuce alive outside in my beds by frost covering but it was 22 last night here in Illinois so we will see but your lettuce looks beautiful!!
I missed you the passed two days. I looked at the temps early, early this morning, but can't remember. The forecast was 38. I know it didn't freeze. I went out just a little while ago to turn all my stalk planters. Have you planted your garlic yet? I've gotten mine to plant, just haven't yet. Have a great day and thanks for the videos. Vickie
Just got a frost warning for my area tonight! That is so unheard of here along the southeastern coast. But my collards will taste much better after the frost!
This is my first full fall garden and I can't believe how much my broccoli and zucchini seemed to LOVE those low temps last night. They look bigger and happier this morning 😊
42 at Rising Star Texas Eastland County this morning.
Says we dipped down to 33F last night here in South-Central OK.
31° here this morning. Patchy light frost. First Oct frost I can remember in a very long time.
Weather app said we here in Kaufman would get down to 34 by early morning this morning. I covered as many tomato plants as I had material for and hoped they were correct. Thermometer on back patio was at 32 when I got up. Tomatoes that were covered were fine. Some of the uncovered ones got frost bit at the tops and some uncovered cucumbers got frost bit. The pole beans on a tunnel trellis came out just fine. Peppers survived too.
North East Texas – Tyler. 34 degree this am. Covered the tomatoes. The cabbage and turnips seem fine. Herbs survived as well, so I'm not seeing any damage, even the dill and basil.
We’re in Smith County, Tyler area. Our 15 ft banana trees got frostbite, lol. Soon be time to saw them down for the winter. We covered the garden plants so they’re ok. Even our bougainvillea survived so I don’t believe it was “cold” for long. 😊
We're in NE Tenn, Tue to tomorrow, Thur we had 30 with possibility of high 20s – a few flakes of snow yesterday and the high was 40. It's supposed to go back up to 74 degrees next week and I'll didn't get to fix my DIY greenhouse so I'll do that on the weekend and plant more greens that I didn't get in the ground with trying to save the plants that will over winter and clear out the peppers and summer plants. We're about a week and a half early to the predicted first frost. Doing good here!
34 this morning in Reno, northeast Parker county. I did not cover anything, peppers, tomatoes, green beans, squash, etc. All is well because we have no moisture in the air and the 34 deg temp wasn't but 22 minutes long.