I certainly hope we are done with our annual winter season, at least the cold cold part. I was amazed that my son actually had a heavy layer of frost on his lawn, out in the Northeast Cape.

Another family member in Buckingham had frost all over but that can be expected out east of the interstate.

Florida landscapes can tolerate a certain amount of cold and not show much damage, however two nights of temps in the mid to low 30s will result in some damage. A dew point of 30 degrees is real trouble.

We normally do not do a lot of pruning during January and for this January we do not want to jump the gun and start cuting off a lot of discolored and forlorn looking branches and stems.

The usual time to start any spring cutting would be after Feb. 15, yes, things will look dead, or close to it, but just be patient, there will be one or two more cold fronts coming through. We do not want tender tissue left out in the cold from trimming too soon.

You may have to trim something if it has broken off in the wind, you will just have to judge damage done and do not go cutting and trimming everything in sight, just yet.

Last year during January and February the lowest temp I noted on the calendar was a two-night dip in the mid 40s during the last week of February. That is acceptable to plants, not so much for my comfort, but still an acceptable problem all around.

You may have noticed that some of your orchids kind of liked that little slap in the face of cold 50 degree weather. The dendrobians especially. They will even tolerate a night or two of high 40s, in my location, as long as the dew point stays above 30 and does not dry them out. I really hope all of the lovely blooming mango trees tolerated the cold. They were especially beautiful this year.

Enough of cold! I was out and about this week and saw some beautiful perky pansies. They can be planted now, in the sun with well drained soil. A pot of these beauties will make a cheerful statement on the front step or on the lanai. Snapdragons begoines and geraniums are available now.

I am always partial to a pot of pansies or geraniums surrounded with a white ring of alyssium. Marigolds are available in several sizes and colors. Just be sure to keep newly planted annuals watered well to settle them in.

You can plant tomatoes, bell peppers, parsley and other veggies now. Try some in a large pot if you do not want to dig in the soil yet. They do need to be in the sun and should tolerate a one night stand in the 40s. I have one nice tomato plant in a pot. I put it in the garage during the worst cold and it is okay, a little droopy because it has not had enough sunshine lately. I have some worm castings around it and expect it to start growing quickly.

Citrus can be fertilized now but the main general fertilizing of plants is during the end of February and first of March. Just a note to alert flower lovers that in February and March there will be several free events which the local Garden Club is involved in. The local club is sponsoring a MARCH INTO SPRING gardening event at Jaycee Park, March 14.

The Bell Tower Strolling Flower Show, will be held Feb. 5, in Fort Myers. This event is part of the Edison Festival of Lights celebrations and will feature floral designs in store windows, in the beautiful mall. There will be seven designers from the Garden Club of Cape Coral competing in this judged show, The Fort Myers/Lee County Garden council will host its semi-annual flower show at Edison State College on March 13. Please check public viewing times and other information on these events as they are announced.

Happy gardening till we meet again.

H. Jean Shields

Past president

Garden Club of Cape Coral