Dormancy...it's a comforting feeling having them all tucked away

[whfarro]

I don't find that level of comfort in over-wintering that you seem to. While I am enjoying these balmy days we've been having and the mild November and beginning of December has given me more time to prepare, I find winter a stressful time in my "bonsai yearly cycle".

I think part of it is a sense of helplessness once winter really sets in. Even though my trees are protected and I still check them often I don't relax until I see those buds swelling at winters end and I know spring is finally on its way.

 

[Dav4]

My gas bill for November was 50% less this year then last year, and it will be 70+ F by week's end with no meaningful cold in sight. We've only had 2 or 3 nights falling below freezing so far. Lovely winter storage area, by the way...it put's my old unattached garage back in MA to shame.

 

[rockm]

I am comforted that I have all the trees in storage after two days of work. I'm not taking any comfort however in the warm days we're having. January and February always have a habit of dropping some really cold weather on us. We're having nights averaging just below freezing to about 25.

 

[M. Frary]

It's nice here. 80s during the day 70s at night.

 

[Cadillactaste]

I am comforted that I have all the trees in storage after two days of work. I'm not taking any comfort however in the warm days we're having. January and February always have a habit of dropping some really cold weather on us. We're having nights averaging just below freezing to about 25.

With these warmer winters...we need to more focus on keeping the room cool enough. Haven't overly concerned myself with temps...since outside daytime temps are above my greenhouses. But something I need to consider with temps this weekend.

 

[Dav4]

With these warmer winters...we need to more focus on keeping the room cool enough. Haven't overly concerned myself with temps...since outside daytime temps are above my greenhouses. But something I need to consider with temps this weekend.

Open your windows at night and close them during the day...that's how I kept my garage cool in late winter when the sun was getting higher in the sky

 

[Paradox]

Still seeing warm temps here, some dips into the 30's at night(maybe 3 or 4 times the grass had frost), mostly 40's and 50's during the day, even some 60's....I mulched a few in, but the ones that will get stored away in the garage remain out for now....Such odd weather..

Mine are all still outside. I track temps for each week and see what it is calling for. Even with those few nights it dipped below freezing, the day time temps are warm enough I said to hell with it, they are all staying out for now. It is nice not to worry about them being too warm in the garage during the day.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Open your windows at night and close them during the day...that's how I kept my garage cool in late winter when the sun was getting higher in the sky

Depending on the night temps...I get up real early...so I opened them around 4 am for the most part. But if the nights are warmer...I do. But more often at 4am.

 

[Lazylightningny]

Nah, not weird at all - the Landscape tree has far more exposure to the elements

Grimmy

Makes sense.

 

[jeremy_norbury]

No sign of winter on the other side of the pond either...all my trees (except tropicals) are outside.

 

[mcpesq817]

I moved most of my trees into my detached garage around Thanksgiving. Temps were dropping into the high 20s for a few nights in a row, and most had dropped their leaves (though my bald cypress and elms stubbornly held on), so I rushed to get them into the garage. Finally my bald cypress went into the garage a few days ago, but my cork bark elms are still outside.

Of course now it's still very warm here. I wish we didn't have that cold snap a few weeks ago, as I could have moved my trees more leisurely into their winter quarters - not fun to do it all in a day or two

 

[Cadillactaste]

I moved most of my trees into my detached garage around Thanksgiving. Temps were dropping into the high 20s for a few nights in a row, and most had dropped their leaves (though my bald cypress and elms stubbornly held on), so I rushed to get them into the garage. Finally my bald cypress went into the garage a few days ago, but my cork bark elms are still outside.

Of course now it's still very warm here. I wish we didn't have that cold snap a few weeks ago, as I could have moved my trees more leisurely into their winter quarters - not fun to do it all in a day or two

I imagine not fun at all...the benefits of having under 20 trees myself...though my boys helped me bring them in, to save foot work. They volunteered to keep my time spent outside less with temps dropping.

 

[mcpesq817]

The worst was buying a snow blower a couple of days ago, and reading 10 minutes later after placing the order that this might be a big, long-term El Nino with years of above-average temperatures -- i.e., no snow for my area

 

[coh]

I hurt my arm earlier in November, so even though I already have a snow blower I had to contract out for a snow removal service to keep the driveway clear this winter. So that pretty much assures us of a below average snow winter, at least I hope! I consider it insurance.

 

[CWTurner]

The worst was buying a snow blower

Snow blower in VA? I hope you're over 60. Or in the mts. Are there mountains in VA?
CW

 

[mcpesq817]

I have a 120' long driveway to a detached garage in the back, a big part of it bordered by my house on one side and the neighbor's yard on the other. I'm relatively young compared to most people here, but shoveling that much heavy snow is a bitch.

 

[RickMartin]

All of mine but the tropicals are still outside..looks like they are not going to get much of a dormant period this year

Rick

 

[GrimLore]

Mine are all still outside. I track temps for each week and see what it is calling for. Even with those few nights it dipped below freezing, the day time temps are warm enough I said to hell with it, they are all staying out for now. It is nice not to worry about them being too warm in the garage during the day.

I am pleased - seems the few things I have left will at most be taken off shelves and placed on the ground this year - easy

Grimmy

 

[Paradox]

Record highs posted here for yesterday. Highs at my house were mid 60s. Going to be almost as warm today.
I hope the trees dont start thinking its spring and have to go through the whole get used to winter coming thing again. They have already experienced some hard frosts and a couple of freezes.
Even worse, I pray we dont go from 40s and 50s (sometimes 60) to 20s and 30s in a day or two and really mess them up.

 

[Cadillactaste]

I don't find that level of comfort in over-wintering that you seem to. While I am enjoying these balmy days we've been having and the mild November and beginning of December has given me more time to prepare, I find winter a stressful time in my "bonsai yearly cycle".

I think part of it is a sense of helplessness once winter really sets in. Even though my trees are protected and I still check them often I don't relax until I see those buds swelling at winters end and I know spring is finally on its way.

Sorry to hear that. With getting my trees all through one harsh winter in my cold greenhouse as I call it. Makes me feel that the rest will be a breeze...my system worked. No loss of trees out there.

Well, now...tropical are another story. And I don't care to have that sort of stress with the factor of the hiccup last winter. Even now that it's corrected. I lost 4 tropical do to something out of my control. (Propane tank freezing during arcti air spells...from a faulty regulator on the tank that allowed moisture in) That I do not plan on adding any more tropicals to the mix. I'm a northerner...and am going to embrace stacking the cards in my favor with zone friendly trees.

I do hope that eventually...wintering won't cause you so much stress...I know the stress I was under not knowing if my system would fail or be successful. It's not fun in the least.