FROSTS
Jane McGary (Tue, 13 Nov 2007 09:12:43 PST)

I agree with Iain that planting things where they will not get the morning
sun during freezing spells is helpful. Parts of my rock garden are in sun
during summer, and in shade in winter when the angle of the sun is lower.
Many days these areas stay frozen all day.

The "fleece" that Iain mentions sounds like the product sold in the US as
Reemay. I use it to wrap some container plants during severe weather, and
also to cover amaryllids in spring against bulb fly. It's mostly used as a
row cover in vegetable gardens and can be bought from organic garden supply
companies.

I also use a thicker product, called microfoam, to protect my bulbs inside
the frames when the temperature drops below 25 F or so. I lay it directly
on top of the plants and shut the frames. I get it from a nursery supply
company -- not sure where it would be obtainable in an area not so heavily
populated with nurseries. It has a waterproof layer and a foam layer,
bonded together, and is very light.

Jane McGary
Northwestern Oregon, USA