Cold Weather

Hello fellow gardeners and Happy New Year!!!!!!

Recently I've been asked questions regarding the cold and snowy weather and how it will impact new and old bulbs planted, especially lilies.

As long as they were planted 6 inches deep (which is what I recommend regardless of where you live), then you will be OK for the up coming Spring sprouting excitement. Most lilies are quite hardy and will tolerate extreme temps as low as -10 degrees if planted deep enough. I remember one time I was getting ice for a soda drink and accidentally set three bulbs in the ice compartment of the freezer while filling my glass with ice. (Kind of like A PACK RAT - you know, take something and replace it with something else idea). The bulbs are a variety that blooms the first week of May and being new guy's, I was excited to see the blooms. First week of May, nothing. Second and third week....still nothing. Well, upon opening the freezer in June to pull out my favorite steak for a little barbie, there they were! Still firm and healthy like the first day they were lost into a deep slumber in the "deep freeze". I thought, "boy, these will NEVER survive!" So, I planted them the day I located the lost rascals in a whiskey barrel in full sun and sure enough...they grew like crazy but did not bloom until the following Spring.

I figured they were in the comatose state of sleep for about four and a half months.

Bottom line? Lillie's are one of the most hardy plants you can have in your garden!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...