This is really an early winter for us and everyone else, I think?

I saw the report on that.

http://texasstormchasers.com/2...

It's definitely going to get cold! I think this will spell the end for my tomatoes, which is a real shame because they are just now starting to get really loaded with fruit.

That really is a shame especially since this is not supposed to last long. How about digging out some Christmas light strings and hanging them on the tomatoes and covering them up?? Smug pots??
But then there are always green tomatoes, one of my favorites.

The rest of my Tropicals will go into the greenhouse tomorrow. That will give me a few days to double check that I didn't forget anyone.

Yeah. Time for the annual Container Plant Cram. With no organization. I'm never ready. So the glass fronted porch will be non-navigable and the car may have to spend a few days parked outside of the garage until I can get some semblance of order imposed on the mess. I'm ready for spring already.

We have unexpected company for the weekend. Should have been putting the hoop house up but maybe tomorrow...or Monday. Can't believe it's turning cold so soon. I managed to get the plumerias into the garage earlier in the week. The rain certainly perked everything up! Didn't help the lakes, though.

I filled the GH to the brim today. There is barely any walking room in there now. We'll get the temperature drop on Wednesday. I work Monday and Tuesday til midnight so I have to be ready by the weekend. I still have about 6-10 larger plants that will have to suffer and go into the garage. At least 4 of them are shade-lovers. The others will go to the front of the garage where they can be pulled out for some sunshine. I will cut back the bougainvillea and hopefully they will get a good rest this winter. A looong rest since winter is coming so soon! Ughhh. I hate winter. I hate to worry about my plants!! My GF who is not a gardener whom I gifted a red plumeria asked about wintering it over said it best, "After all this work, I have to let it lose all it's leaves?" sighhh 'Tis the season.

Our daughter and son-in-law came over this afternoon and helped us get the hoop up on the back of the house. I didn't realize SIL was missing A&M's game to help. We are all exhausted! Still have the big hoop to put up Monday. I always have a "plan" to put pots in neatly, but the more tired I get, the messier the plants are shoved in. I still have big pots of caladiums that I have to keep out for daughter's party next Saturday. They may have to go in her garage. I didn't plan space for them in hoop, since the bulbs would just melt away eventually outside. Now I have to make room for them in the garage because Tuesday it will be 36. Sure does seem early for cold weather. I don't think it will last, but it sure will make the hibiscus pout!

I almost forgot about my little orange tree and begonias but now they are safe in the garage.
I ruthlessly pulled my tomatoes up yesterday although there were plently of flowers and green toms as well as all the annuals. It made it alittle easier because I was starting a new bed.

It's really cold and windy here today. We had to be at DGS's school at 8AM for Veterans Day program. No time to pull anything else in. We spent all day yesterday stuffing the big hoop. My arms look like I was in a cat fight! Blasted bromeliads!

Anna, as I read your post, I remembered my citrus trees are still out. I won't take them in tonight. We should only get down to 36. I'm always reminded at this time of year that I have too many plants! Worse this year, there's too many big heavy pots. There's always next year to plan for over winter.

Well, same here for me Sandi, too many plants. But I am sure glad you had help with your Hoop House and got everyone in where it is safe and warm. You know that big 'ol 10 x 12' greenhouse I built this summer? It's not big enough and the garage is going to have to house 8-10 plants. Gee?? How could that have happened? Could it be the 2 flats of seedlings that somehow had to be planted this fall? The 2 troughs of day lilies that didn't get into the ground?? Cheryl~~~>hits head against the wall. Age old problem for gardeners....too many plants!!

I gave away a lot of plants to neighbors and garden friends, and still there's too many.

I have the pots of caladiums under a big glass patio table on the patio, wrapped with row cloth. They already have started to droop. They looked perfect yesterday. I'm afraid daughter's patio party is going to turn into an inside one! Saturday evening is supposed to be even colder than tonight !

It was 56º today. I've decided for the 100th time I do not like cold, Sam I am!

I envy your the new greenhouse! I don't think we can put the hoops up by ourselves next year. I may have to whine for a greenhouse even though there's really notnenoughnroom for one anymore! ( I should have just started collecting stamps instead of plants).

I'll come up and help you build your GH, Sandi. We could have it up in a long weekend as long as the base is prepared and ready to go.

Cheryl that's so sweet! Instead, I think I'll just have to send some plants to you to fill up your new GH!
Our garden club will hold our joint Nov. mtg. with the cactus and succulent club this month. Our club's mtgs. are on the same Thursday as Thanksgiving each year. The cactus group graciously invites us to their mtg. the week before. We furnish all the refreshments and they supply all the door prizes. I come home every year with some wicked cactus that I gave no idea how to care for! ......do you like cactus? Just kidding!

Is everyone ready for this cold?? Starting tonight some will be freezing for 8-12 hours! The prediction for our area is 4 hours. That is enough to do some harm. Then then a little rain then freeze again on Tuesday?!
I think it's time to move to Hawaii!

Heaters on in full force in the greenhouse AND the garage. My electricity bill will rival a hot August day!

I hate it. Especially to be so cold for the first freeze. That has to be hard on the plants. I hope it doesn't kill those I want knocked down before storing them inside until spring. Here I had about 12 consecutive hours below freezing last night and it looks to be 14 or more tonight. Not even a killing frost before this to allow for a gradual transition. Even the pecans that are still surviving the drought have green leaves. Hope for the best, I guess.

Something like that happened last fall. The first freeze here...I think it was 27°. This time we froze briefly last night, but barely...then the forecast says 27° tonight. I hate it also, and then supposedly 3 more nights in the 30's after that. It's more like January, I think! The worst thing is losing blooms so early.

My trees are still fully leafed out. I have been raking about 4 bags each week. Something tells me in a week or 2 I will raking leaves like crazy! It will be stark and empty in my yard PDQ! It's 37 right now. I an trying to keep my GH above 50 but it's going to be hard.

Low here is forecasted at 22. I wish more leaves would have fallen by now.