Each spring seems to be getting warmer than the previous, especially in the Midwest and The Great Lakes areas. In recent years, we have had many days in March that sometimes reach over sixty-five degrees, and in April, we have had days as high as eighty degrees.
In fact, in 2005, the day my oldest son was born, it was eighty-five degrees! I like to call these “teaser days” or “hope days”. I believe it is the Universe telling us to hold on a little longer, that winter will soon be over, and in due time, the warmer weather will be here to stay.
While I simply enjoy the warmer temperatures and not having to wear bulky clothes and coats, this may not be the best for our environment. It can cause a myriad of problems, such as:
- Water damage in Michigan from snow melting too early
- Temperature shock to plants that have been peeking through from the warmer days
- Animals waking up too early from their winter slumber
- Potential harm to agriculture
- Pollination
- Altered river systems
- Higher irrigation needs
- Negative impact on livestock
- Worsened air quality, leading to respiratory problems and other health issues
According to NPR (National Public Radio), the following effects of temperature shock from warmer winters, “Despite the occasional polar vortex that can send temperatures plunging well below zero, generally warmer Midwest winters have implications from agriculture to recreation.
“We talk about this all the time,” says Dennis Todey, director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Midwest Climate Hub, in Ames, Iowa.
Freezing stops the microbes in soil from breaking down organic matter. Todey says that this contributes to the quality of Iowa’s dark, rich cropland. Soils farther south, where it’s warmer, lose organic matter because bacteria, fungi and other critters keep munching through it all winter long.
Todey says another problem is when the temperature warms after a hard frost and then rain falls onto frozen ground. That’s bad because it can cause soil to wash away,”.
Furthermore, in places like Michigan, NPR’s report went on to note that, “Warm winters are even worse for certain fruit and nut trees, which require chill hours during the winter. If they don’t get enough of those, they won’t produce the following season.
Michigan’s cherry trees have struggled with erratic winter weather,”.
How do you save a plant from temperature shock?
Currently, as of the date of this writing, we have had several sixty-plus degree days, with today reaching seventy-one degrees. My lilies and hostas are trying to pop up, but they have no idea that tomorrow it will be in the thirties with a chance of snow. Welcome to Pure Michigan!
Luckily, in the fall, when the leaves drop from the trees, I like to blow and rake them into my flower beds, adding an extra layer of protective covering for when we have fluctuating temperatures in the spring.
According to gardening experts, Jackson and Perkins, “The first thing to do is check the weather forecast. Was this cold snap a one-night stand or is it possible that nighttime temperatures will continue to drop for several days? If it was a one-night occurrence, all your efforts will be toward recovery. However, if this cold snap is going to continue, your efforts will need to prioritize preventing further damage, including:
- Water the Plant
- Avoid Fertilizing
- Avoid Pruning
- Bring Pots Indoors
- Group and Shelter
- Trim Dead Roots and Repot,”.
Once the winter thaw is officially over and spring is in full bloom, there are some things we can do to help our plants have a more successful growing season.
What do coffee grounds do for plants?
I can remember my Nana (grandmother) saving coffee grounds and eggshells for her outdoor plants. Come to think of it, my Mom did the same.
Plantin cites that plants benefit from coffee grounds because, “Coffee beans are rich in minerals such as magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium. Phosphorus and potassium improve yields, and nitrogen is involved in photosynthesis, which helps plants grow faster. Ground coffee is excellent for both house and garden plants,”.
Plantin continues to tell us how to use coffee grounds, “Cover the soil around the plant’s trunk with well-dried coffee grounds and water abundantly. Each watering will release nitrogen from the coffee grits and penetrate into the soil with water, soaking the plant’s root system, thereby strengthening it and protecting it from pests,”.
My Nana and Mom always had the most beautiful gardening beds filled with lush hastas, lillys, rose bushes, and lilacs. Not only did it smell wonderful, but the peace you felt while sitting in their yards was immeasurable. All of those plants were heirlooms given to my mother and her sisters. When my Mom and I moved from our townhome, it was in the middle of February so we were unable to transplant our beautiful garden.
In the spring, I went to the new residents of our old townhome, told them the history of the plants and how my Nana had passed away, and asked if we could come to get them once it warmed up. They happily agreed and as a surprise, I took my Mom there on Mother’s Day to dig up our garden full of plants. Of course, it was pouring rain, and removing the rose bush gave us a heck of a time, as well as many scratches from the thorns. However, we got it done and transplanted them to our new place.
When I got married, and my Mom moved to North Carolina to help her sister, we ended up moving from there in the middle of the winter. Once again, in the spring, I went to the new residents, told the story, and asked if I could remove our luscious garden. They said yes, and the plants traveled with us to our rental house!
Can you guess what happened next? My then-husband and I bought our house and moved. We didn’t move until the end of April, so our landlord said we could come back in a few weeks to get our plants. Shortly after I bought my home, my Mom moved back to Michigan. And guess what? We split up the plants and transplanted half of them to my Mom’s new place.
About seven years later, sadly, my Mom passed away suddenly on December 10th in the middle of a humongous snowstorm. I can tell you that my faith in the good of people strengthened that following spring when I again went to the new residents, told them the story of the moving plants, and asked if we could take them back to my home. Because you know what? They said yes.
Today, those same plants are doing wonderfully in the grounds of my home, and one day, when I move, you can bet I will be taking them with me!
What is temperature shock
In conclusion, temperature shock results from sudden temperature changes, stressing plants and animals. While warmer days feel welcome, they can disrupt ecosystems and affect agriculture. Thank goodness my heirloom plants have survived quite the journey of temperature and location changes. Happy planting!