“Being Prepared”

 

First, temporary location

New location in back of yard

 

            In February we picked up a small greenhouse to help our plants weather through the colder days of our usually mild winters. It protected Aloe Vera, Pothos and Jade and various outdoor plants that don’t like temperatures below 60°. We added heat lamps for the coldest nights, and the shelter stayed surprisingly warm. When March rolled in, we moved the portable structure into a new place under our neighbor’s tree where it became a potting area along with a crafting area for projects requiring paints or stains. Gradually, the space filled with odd-n-ends of gardening like empty pots and a dozen glass vases used for rooting plants. I even tossed in several broken down boxes to use to protect the ground whenever I repainted our outdoor tables and planters.

            This week I woke up to a nip in the air that reminded me to check forecasts for the rest of the month. This November’s highs hug into the 80s still, but cooler days and colder nights will appear soon. I realized on Tuesday that it was time to attack the greenhouse mess and begin shifting my more temperature sensitive plants into its warmth.

            I accomplished this task on my own, intentionally longing to fill my days with grunt labor that placed me away from the troubles our world faces. I found a new, temporary location for the cardboard needed for painting our bistro set. Careful not to break anything, I placed the glass rooting vases into a bin that’s far safer than the spot on the greenhouse floor. I lugged all of the unused pots behind the shelter to where I can access them easily if I need to repot anything this winter. I examined all of the plants, added soil to some, and shifted the most temperature sensitive ones onto shelves.

            As each plant found a spot, I noted which ones remain outside, now too large to haul into the greenhouse. Last year I experimented with several types of frost blankets and found one brand that worked well for me and my garden. They stay stored in a bin, available for easy access. This week, I will group together the larger collection of Aloe Vera under the Live Oak tree and swathe them when the nights’ temperatures drop, and uncover them for the warmer days. As we move into colder days, I’ll cluster more of my outdoor potted plants together and nestle them under more frost blankets that are easy to pull back on sunny days.

            Shifting into a new season reminds me of the importance of being prepared. I’ve guided my days with the saying, “Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.” This winter’s preparations may fall short, but I like to think we’ll stay snug and warm and hopeful as we move through this season.

Messy!

Shifting plants 

Filling up quickly

Copyright 2024 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman