posted
I have 100 periwinkle plants that I bought via mail order that arrived just after our first frost here in Washington State. I am surrounded by tall evergreen trees here, and it is always a few degrees colder at my house than anywhere else (as evidenced by the frost that stayed on my lawn all day today). I got a large Rubbermaid bin, about 6 x 4 ft, lined it, put topsoil in, planted the periwinkle and watered it to keep it from dying while the ground is still frozen, but I am not sure whether I can plant them now (if the ground thaws enough). Should I try to plant them if the ground thaws out, or should I keep them in the garage over the winter? I am a Southern lady and don't know about Northwest gardening. Thank you!!
Plants: 6 | From: Seabeck, Washington | Registered: Nov 2003
| Seeded: 66.189.190.171
I'd think that would not be hardy till roots would be established but that takes about 6-8 wks.the trees would offer some protection,but i'd grow in your container bed(drain holes right???) I grew up in south then lived up north for 10 yrs...love the south...can just grow & grow forever.whats strange for me is growing stuff that use to be a annual and down here is a perineal I always thought most places mailed out plants at the planting time for your area.course down here we grow stuff mainly in fall winter so gets a better root system to handle our 40 days of hades in summertime
* * * * I will age ungracefully until I become an old woman in a small garden..doing whatever the Hell I want!
posted
Hi Bright! It's been cold, but it sure has been beautiful lately, hasn't it? The temperature has been dropping into the low 20s here every night.
How big are these plants? We're not talking seedlings, are we?
Personally, if I were in your situation, I would do my best to get the Vincas into the ground and provide them with a good thick cover of mulch. They are very durable and hardy around here. It would have been nice to let them set some roots before winter, but right now they are supposed to be in a dormant stage so let them sleep.
If your garage is heated, the plants are going to try to grow but they would suffer from the lack of light. If the garage isn't heated, the roots will have very little protection from freezing solid.
When the rain returns (ick) you should be able to get them in the ground without too much trouble (except for the fact you have to work in foul weather)..... just be sure to mulch them very well!
* * * * Plants: 11227 | From: Cedar Hill Washington | Registered: Aug 2002
| Seeded: 209.179.168.55
quote:Originally posted by brightcopperkettles: I have 100 periwinkle plants that I bought via mail order that arrived just after our first frost here in Washington State. I am surrounded by tall evergreen trees here, and it is always a few degrees colder at my house than anywhere else (as evidenced by the frost that stayed on my lawn all day today). I got a large Rubbermaid bin, about 6 x 4 ft, lined it, put topsoil in, planted the periwinkle and watered it to keep it from dying while the ground is still frozen, but I am not sure whether I can plant them now (if the ground thaws enough). Should I try to plant them if the ground thaws out, or should I keep them in the garage over the winter? I am a Southern lady and don't know about Northwest gardening. Thank you!!
Plants: 6 | From: Seabeck, Washington | Registered: Nov 2003
| Seeded: 66.189.190.171
posted
Okay, I am just getting used to how this forum thing works, so forgive my blunders. I just wanted to say thank you so much to Bill and njoynit for taking the time to offer their advice. It is supposed to "warm up" into the 50s tomorrow, so I will try to get them in the ground then (along with the primroses!) and if it means getting a little wet, well this is Washington State, and if you never do anything in the rain, you never do anything!! Thanks again so much!!!
Plants: 6 | From: Seabeck, Washington | Registered: Nov 2003
| Seeded: 66.189.190.171
posted
Thank you for the warm welcome. I am so glad to have found your site. I am a novice Northwest gardener. I know more about gardening in the South, but it is just fun to garden wherever one is.
Brightcopperkettles? Well, I was born a redhead and starting getting white hairs when I was 15; Miss Clairol helped me remain one until last year when I finally gave up, and now I am almost snow white--at 46 years old! The other reason the name suits is because The Sound of Music with its song "My Favorite Things" is one of my all-time favorites. So happy and upbeat and positive thinking, and yes, I have been accused of being a Pollyanna.
Look forward to learning a lot from the other veteran gardeners out there!! Thanks so much again for the kind words!!
Plants: 6 | From: Seabeck, Washington | Registered: Nov 2003
| Seeded: 66.189.190.171
posted
Oh, and Sultan is "on the other side of the water," i.e., the eastern side of the Puget Sound. We are in Western Washington. My area is moderated a bit by its proximity to Hood Canal, about 5 minutes away from me. I don't think our temps are vastly different, though, are they Bill?
Plants: 6 | From: Seabeck, Washington | Registered: Nov 2003
| Seeded: 66.189.190.171
posted
Well Bright Copper Kettles, You and I may have something in common, I am also the person tries to keep everything Happy, Happy, Happy, They call me the Garden Cheerleader here!! (And the Compost Queen) Always try to keep a positive attitude! It's more fun that way!!!
And even though you are new to the Northwest gardening, which we have many members that can help you out for your new region, we can sure use your knowledge of the southern gardening, we have many members that write in for that region!!!
Glad to have you here, make sure you check out all the area's. Banter's Hall for chatting, and there's different area's for gardening. We've started a Crafts, Creativities, and Hobbies section, feel free to add or post anything you'd like or are interested in.
Weezie
* * * * Weezie
Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. - Bible - Hebrews 13:2
login | 
| 
| 
![[wayey]](graemlins/wavey.gif)
![[flower]](graemlins/flower.gif)
Oh, and Sultan is "on the other side of the water," i.e., the eastern side of the Puget Sound. We are in Western Washington. My area is moderated a bit by its proximity to Hood Canal, about 5 minutes away from me. I don't think our temps are vastly different, though, are they Bill?
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[grin]](graemlins/grinnnn.gif)
![[thumb]](graemlins/thumb.gif)
![[gabby]](graemlins/gabby.gif)
Weezie 
Printer-friendly view of this garden