I returned last night from Thanksgiving spent with my Dad in Virginia - and woke up this morning with the first frost of the season in my garden. It's a light frost, and only evident in the open area, where my vegetable beds and large (and grower larger) perennial border is - much of the garden is protected by the outstretched arms of the live oaks and bald cypresses and sweet gums.
I've always loved the first frost - and I think it's because when I was in Michigan, in graduate school, the first frost was usually a heavy one, and made the fields around the farmhouse I was renting look magical. It would be as if, overnight, the entire field was decorated - each blade of grass glistened, each seed pod was etched in crystal. That first frost ushered in a new season, but with such beauty that you scarely noticed the cold.
Is this about the right time for frost for you, Pam? There seems to be some harsh, early weather going on in some places, particularly in the UK, but also in parts of the US too. I hope that your visit with your Dad went well.
Posted by: jodi (bloomingwriter) | 28 November 2010 at 06:46 PM
yikes! I think this pesky cold will pass soon. 'glad you are back safely.
Posted by: Susan L | 29 November 2010 at 08:35 AM
The thermometer said 30 when I woke up this morning and we had our first frost also, though it seemed to be light. We were about 2 weeks after the average first date, but I am OK with that.
Posted by: Les | 29 November 2010 at 09:02 PM
You know, I covered the tomato plants and awoke to cold sheets with a little frost. The roof had it bright white. everything else was fine. Go figure!
Posted by: compostinmyshoe | 29 November 2010 at 10:59 PM
Our frost was very pretty....love the frost on the meadow.
How is your dad?
Posted by: Janet | 30 November 2010 at 11:49 AM
Jodi, it seems a bit early. Actually the cold yesterday - and for the next few days - is very unusual (low 20s at night, highs in the 40s). My garden is not happy!
Thanks Susan, I'm glad to be back too.
Les, it was a warm fall - but the cold this week is abrupt and unwelcome, at least to this now whimpy coastal South Carolinian!
Compost, I'm always amazed at the protection my large live oaks afford the garden. But I have a side garden that is open and just seems to trap and collect the cold air. Not sure there is much I can do about it, except to cut down a bunch of trees (which I'm not willing to do).
Janet - thanks for asking about my Dad. He is doing okay - it's a quiet time right now, which I'm grateful for. His two live-in healthcare providers are good and trustworthy, which helps me to relax too. Hope you are enjoying South Carolina thus far!
Posted by: Pam | 07 December 2010 at 08:03 AM