All I can say it is cold out. -16 accurate temperature but with the wind chill it is 35 below. I will have to research if that affects the plants or just the actual temperature is what the plants do with their dormancy. Interesting article about plants survival. All stay warm, and stay safe.
The author of this article said they haven’t had much snow. We have the snow to help covering the plants, but we are also having some really cold temperatures. Interesting how plants do survive this kind of winter weather.
Trees and plants can't move. How do they adapt? By Robin Sweetser
Nature is fascinating. Every wondered how trees and plants survive winter? They certainly can’t move inside to get warm! Plants go through an amazing process similar to hibernation called dormancy. world.
We have had little snow so far this year and there is a lot of bare ground showing. For once I am hoping for a lot of snow to insulate the ground and protect my plants. Without that layer of insulation some of my borderline hardy perennials might not make it to spring.
Time to Sleep
What methods to plants use to survive cold winters and often freezing temperatures? Like hibernating bears, they slow down their metabolisms and enter a state of dormancy.
Longer nights and colder temperatures trigger a slowdown in photosynthesis and respiration signalling that it is time to rest up for the next growing season. Many perennials and trees lose their tender leaves and evergreens stop growing.
Excess sugars made during the summer are concentrated in the plant’s cells and act like a form of antifreeze. Water from the cells, which could freeze and cause them to burst, moves outside the cell walls where it can safely freeze without damaging the cells. As it thaws, water can be reabsorbed by the plant cells and prevent dehydration. This method of moving water in and out of cells helps plants to not only survive cold but also other extreme weather such as heat and drought.
What’s happening below ground? While all seems dormant above ground, a natural and amazing process of adaption is happening well below the soil. The roots continue to develop and thrive, keeping plants fed with stored up starches until warm weather returns. Soil temps are usually much higher than the air temperature in winter.
A layer of mulch or snow acts like a blanket to keep extreme cold from penetrating too far and damaging roots. More importantly, it can protect the ground from rapid freezing and thawing that can harm the roots and encourage unseasonable new growth which is susceptible to a sudden freeze.
Coming out of dormancy too soon puts plants at risk. This is why poet Robert Frost encourages his young orchard to keep cold. “No orchard’s the worse for the wintriest storm; But one thing about it, it musn’t get warm. How often already you’ve had to be told, Keep cold young orchard. Good-bye and keep cold. Dread fifty above more than fifty below.”
Grow Native
One of the best ways to insure your plants will make it through the winter is to plant natives that are adapted to your region and are appropriate for your zone.
Until spring arrives, take time to rest up like your plants. Grow a few new roots, eat some carbs, and get ready for the coming season!
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/why-plants-go-dormant-winter-and-how-they-do-it
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa 641-794-3337 cell 641-903-9365
The author of this article said they haven’t had much snow. We have the snow to help covering the plants, but we are also having some really cold temperatures. Interesting how plants do survive this kind of winter weather.
Trees and plants can't move. How do they adapt? By Robin Sweetser
Nature is fascinating. Every wondered how trees and plants survive winter? They certainly can’t move inside to get warm! Plants go through an amazing process similar to hibernation called dormancy. world.
We have had little snow so far this year and there is a lot of bare ground showing. For once I am hoping for a lot of snow to insulate the ground and protect my plants. Without that layer of insulation some of my borderline hardy perennials might not make it to spring.
Time to Sleep
What methods to plants use to survive cold winters and often freezing temperatures? Like hibernating bears, they slow down their metabolisms and enter a state of dormancy.
Longer nights and colder temperatures trigger a slowdown in photosynthesis and respiration signalling that it is time to rest up for the next growing season. Many perennials and trees lose their tender leaves and evergreens stop growing.
Excess sugars made during the summer are concentrated in the plant’s cells and act like a form of antifreeze. Water from the cells, which could freeze and cause them to burst, moves outside the cell walls where it can safely freeze without damaging the cells. As it thaws, water can be reabsorbed by the plant cells and prevent dehydration. This method of moving water in and out of cells helps plants to not only survive cold but also other extreme weather such as heat and drought.
What’s happening below ground? While all seems dormant above ground, a natural and amazing process of adaption is happening well below the soil. The roots continue to develop and thrive, keeping plants fed with stored up starches until warm weather returns. Soil temps are usually much higher than the air temperature in winter.
A layer of mulch or snow acts like a blanket to keep extreme cold from penetrating too far and damaging roots. More importantly, it can protect the ground from rapid freezing and thawing that can harm the roots and encourage unseasonable new growth which is susceptible to a sudden freeze.
Coming out of dormancy too soon puts plants at risk. This is why poet Robert Frost encourages his young orchard to keep cold. “No orchard’s the worse for the wintriest storm; But one thing about it, it musn’t get warm. How often already you’ve had to be told, Keep cold young orchard. Good-bye and keep cold. Dread fifty above more than fifty below.”
Grow Native
One of the best ways to insure your plants will make it through the winter is to plant natives that are adapted to your region and are appropriate for your zone.
Until spring arrives, take time to rest up like your plants. Grow a few new roots, eat some carbs, and get ready for the coming season!
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/why-plants-go-dormant-winter-and-how-they-do-it
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa 641-794-3337 cell 641-903-9365
