Arctic blast... already?

[shohin_branches]

We got over a foot of snow last week and it was 4°F this morning. I still don't have the door of my shed insulated and haven't made the window covers yet for polar vortex days. My shed lock was frozen so I was unable to get my azaleas moved into the basement. I'm hoping to use a torch on it after work today and hoping they're not dead by then. The replacement gateway to connect my temp sensors to the internet just came in the mail this morning.

I'm 100% not prepared for this weather

 

[Paradox]

Ugh 31 this morning down to 17 tonight. Everything is frozen in their pots now and no matter how many years I do bonsai, it will make me anxious,

Yeah.....I just looked at the lows for tonight and decided I better get my ass out and cover the coldframe up. Too early for this kind of cold and I do have satsuki that dont like it that cold. I have them right next to the house which helps but if I can cover the coldframe for tonight it will help

 

[Nybonsai12]

Yeah.....I just looked at the lows for tonight and decided I better get my ass out and cover the coldframe up. Too early for this kind of cold and I do have satsuki that dont like it that cold. I have them right next to the house which helps but if I can cover the coldframe for tonight it will help

Thankfully i have less trees now than ever so the two step shouldn't take too long. with wind it will feel like single digits!

 

[Dav4]

Seriously though, I love this time of year when my trees over-wintered outdoors are put away, mulched, frozen solid with snow judiciously covering the pots and mulch. No watering, pruning or wiring is possible so nothing to worry about. Did I mention that I'm going drinking at a zoo tonight wearing a parka and quilted denim jeans?

 

[Mikea454]

packed up 2 weeks ago, bring the cold up here to the NE.

outside bunker, garage, and basement stairs all set (not counting the subtropical in the finished basement)

 

[Dav4]

packed up 2 weeks ago, bring the cold up here to the NE.

outside bunker, garage, and basement stairs all set (not counting the subtropical in the finished basement)

Be careful overwintering trees in basement walk outs or anywhere where mice may munch on your trees unnoticed. When I lived in SE MA years ago, I once had a very large maple and a JBP girdled overnight in a basement walkout. Granted, the house was antique and the foundation and basement walkout were constructed w/ dry laid field stone which was like a mouse condo complex, but I'd still be cautious in your situation. Mice move in for the warmth but stay for the food .

 

[Mikea454]

That would be terrible, but it's the only place I have that stays between 20-40°. the garage is going under 15 degrees tonight and the outside to 10, the mulched in pines will be okay, but not sure the maples can withstand that.

 

[yesimnathan]

Been ushering trees into my unheated garage for the past couple of days. Single digits over night tonight =(

 

[SailDesign]

Ugh 31 this morning down to 17 tonight. Everything is frozen in their pots now and no matter how many years I do bonsai, it will make me anxious,

Yup - we're "only" going down to 19 here in RI, but I've closed the cold frame where the bonsai are dug in for the season. "Anxious" is about the right word.

 

[stubmle]

That would be terrible, but it's the only place I have that stays between 20-40°. the garage is going under 15 degrees tonight and the outside to 10, the mulched in pines will be okay, but not sure the maples can withstand that.

Mice hate dryer sheets, supposedly. Could also put out mouse bait and hope they prefer that.

 

[Dav4]

That would be terrible, but it's the only place I have that stays between 20-40°. the garage is going under 15 degrees tonight and the outside to 10, the mulched in pines will be okay, but not sure the maples can withstand that.

The maples could easily handle a below average temperature wise Boston winter outside if their pots are mulched. A 15 degree garage isn’t bad either but may not be any better than the walkout.

 

[Mikea454]

The maples could easily handle a below average temperature wise Boston winter outside if their pots are mulched. A 15 degree garage isn’t bad either but may not be any better than the walkout.

the mice have found thwre way into the unattached garage, they really haven't been in the basement yet (3 yrs in this house)

 

[shohin_branches]

Got the gateway set up and it looks like the insulation + heater is doing its job! Phew!

 

[RJG2]

Amazing what a layer of leaves and snow will do.



And @Dav4 - my trees were hit by voles a couple years ago, so now I spray my leaf mulch with castor oil, AND sprinkle castor oil soaked 8822 around everything! Has worked the last couple years at least.

 

[namnhi]

Looks like this cold is not for us down here. Lowest temp for next 7 days will be around 40. We will have high in the 60s and 70s next week. Phew, what a relief

 

[Carol 83]

I'm going drinking at a zoo tonight wearing a parka and quilted denim jeans

You're not gonna' get as much use out of those pink shorts in Michigan.

 

[Carol 83]

Looks like this cold is not for us down here. Lowest temp for next 7 days will be around 40. We will have high in the 60s and 70s next week. Phew, what a relief

Lucky you, it's currently 12 degrees here....

 

[vesper818]

Brrr! It's gotten down into the 40s here the last 3 nights! Positively Artctic! ️

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Topping out at 20f tonight... Ill be outside for the next hour getting most stuff on the ground and some specific recently worked trees under the basement stairs.

Not too worried about 20f here in nj.

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

Seriously though, I love this time of year when my trees over-wintered outdoors are put away, mulched, frozen solid with snow judiciously covering the pots and mulch. No watering, pruning or wiring is possible so nothing to worry about. Did I mention that I'm going drinking at a zoo tonight wearing a parka and quilted denim jeans?

Just don't drink five PBR's. My buddy in the UP is cheap.