First Frost of This Season

     In a "typical" year, we can expect our first frost between October 6 and October 10. Jack Frost split the difference this autumn, making his first visit on the 8th.

The temperature a little before 9 AM (when I walked my daughter to school) was 28° F (a little below -2° C.) Frost had formed only in places that were open to the sky, where heat could escape more freely; where there were overhanging tree branches or house eaves, there was no frost. Figuring that it would soon burn off, I grabbed my camera as soon as I got home and snapped a few pictures.

All my tropical trees were safely in the mudroom, where temperatures always stay at least 10° F above the outside. I hoped to be able to keep them outdoors until this weekend, when the Fort Wayne club has our Fall Show. They can still be outside most of the time until Saturday; I'll have to bring them in again Wednesday nite. After the show, then, it will be into the Crate with them for the winter.

My serissas, crape myrtle, and other half-hardy trees stayed outside. I expect to bring them into the mudroom sometime in November, when the deciduous ones among them will have shed their leaves. (If you're unfamiliar with how I use the term "half-hardy," please see my Glossary.)

"Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens ...?" Job 38:29, NIV.

:-)  :-)  :-)