Winter ends in 3… 2… 1…
Friday 27 February 2009 - Filed under Plants
I’m calling it. This morning is our final frost in Portland. I’ll put money on it. Keep in mind I have no expertise and a long track record of making bad bets. Seriously. I’m a little bit of a problem gambler. But how wrong could it go? It’s practically March, and today’s the last forecast day with freezing temperatures. I’m completely over rushing out and throwing frost blankets over plants. I’m more focused on getting ready for spring growth, and it’s already showing up.
The Akebia quinata is starting to bud out, and after that, it tries to take over the world, which is just fine with me. It didn’t even bother me when the neighbor trimmed it off the chain link fence that was its support one year. It’s like Obi-Wan Kenobi, it just comes back stronger than before. Last weekend, it was starting to bud out, ready for leaves any day.
In a month’s time, it’ll be lush and golden (this picture was taken last April) and with any luck, and me finding some sort of plant support, completely covering up the bright orange new cedar fence. It’s hard to believe it’s only a few weeks away, and I’m not ready yet.
After the chain link fence came down, and the new cedar fence went up, the akebia lost its structure. Luckily, the fence dudes were unbelievably careful, and didn’t damage a single plant along the entire fence line. The akebia was laid out on the ground. Next thing I knew, it had found its way up the big old snowball viburnum.
Since I lost the viburnum this winter (or did the akebia take it out?), now the akebia is just lying on the ground, and temporarily draped over a few lantern hangers. Some time before I have miles of new growth to deal with, I need to attach some sort of trellis to the fence for the twining vine to climb on.
I had to go along with the neighbor’s fence design, since it was their project and we split the cost, matching the rest of their fence. If I had built my own fence, I’d probably would have done horizontal slats. I’m wondering whether I can get over my fear of saws and make myself handy enough to attach something similar to this to my side of the fence, and if the akebia would accept it as a trellis. Probably not , but I have to figure out something soon. I’m open to bright ideas from the peanut gallery.
2009-02-27 » megan
27 February 2009 @ 8:11 am
I called our a week or so ago – but privately. Because I wanted to be able to say – dude… I was right (if I was right) or if I was wrong… not say a word. haha
27 February 2009 @ 2:24 pm
Winter frost is over…Hahahahahahahahahaha!
Ahem. No, what I really meant was: hahahahahahahahahahah
27 February 2009 @ 6:08 pm
I am not betting anything more on winter’s departure, now or ever. I am like Charlie Brown with the freaking football on that score. Luckily I am lazy and had not planted anything yet. Hm, the fence/vine issue… I also am afraid of saws – could you get a plan together and have the lumber yard cut the slats to the proper lengths for you? Then all you’d have to fear would be the hammer/nails.
28 February 2009 @ 10:28 pm
I sure hope you’re right! I have one too many plants that will need to go in the ground…on time! We had such a weird winter, does this mean a weird spring- and could weird mean early?
1 March 2009 @ 8:06 am
James – I saw on Twitter you got another frost. Hope your plants survived. That’s the danger in being a garden optimist.
nonlineargirl – you don’t know!
Karen – Good point, I bet they would cut it for me, and I’m not afraid of the rest of the tools involved. Good idea.
Tessa – I sure hope so. Look, it’s already March!