I think if they’re pippin then water is ok. Wait to see if it rains. If not, then give them some.

debra

Should I start watering them?

==>>>

water when a plant needs water.. insert finger and find out ... or any other method you use ...

you are there.. we are here .. all we can do is speculate ...

no pix ... no pips ... why should we believe you ... lol ...

ken

Here ya go, Mr. Smarty Pants!

Vinca vine from last year coming back

Heuchera Frost coming back from winter

Ester, I believed you!! Ken always wants a pic. Lol

Did you get rain??

debra

Yes, Debra, it rained all day, but I am not satisfied that enough made it under the balcony roof to properly wet the plants. I will try to get out the hose tomorrow and properly water everybody. My back was really aching today from the moisture and I couldn't do it today. Tomorrow is supposed to rain in the morning, but clear up by afternoon. It's also supposed to be in the 40s. Boo.

oh, Esther, it will get better. Spring is coming!

Yes, N2. Next week, I would like to go visit a nearby Arboretum with a friend and check out the daffodils.

Ken, those are last year's Osmocote Plus pellets. That's the only bad thing about those, the plastic pellets remain. I won't fertilize until early May. Considering it's supposed to get down to 28 degrees tonight (Accuweather "RealFeel" will be 14, youch!), I am not watering today. As for water, actually I am expecting delivery of a moisture meter today, to take any guesswork out of my indoor and outdoor watering needs.

Should I put a pillowcase or something over the 4 pipping pots? By today, there could be a 4th or 5th pipping pot, haven't been out on the balcony yet today.

Ester, real feel of 14 is pretty bad....... if you have something to cover them with, easily so you don’t hurt your back, I think I would cover them. Did you see the article in the most recent Hosta Society Newsletter? It’s almost all about what to do in freezes. Many planters shared their methods and results. Andrea DeMink in Indianapolis used and reported on a number of materials. Her first recommendation is cardboard boxes (best) along with gift bags and paper bags. Then plastic nursery pots and buckets as long as they don‘t touch the Sides, then plastic storage containers large enough to cover the plant. Then sheets and blankets as long as they stay dry. I took all of this information from the Newsletter and it is not my intention to plagiarize but share.

For myself, I actually used almost all last year when the frost came. Whatever I had, I used. I even had a large amount of burlap and light blanket batting. When I ran of of those options, I mounded hay around the backyard hostas where there is less wind. Most survived with little damage.

debra

I put the 3 small hostas which were pipping into a large very heavy duty Rubbermaid tote and snapped the lid on. I placed the tote up against the balcony window on the floor of the balcony. I put a folded garbage bag on top of the larger pipped hosta and a plastic disk on top of that. I hope these measures will be enough.

Each day, I am seeing 1 or 2 more hostas pipping. Autumn Frost has REALLY taken off. It's got the bit in its teeth and it's going. On a smaller scale, Royal Tiara and Cracker Crumbs have many more pips up now, and the original ones are taller. I saw in today's inspection (Zizu my cat really didn't want to go in from the balcony, so my inspection was very thorough indeed) that Rainforest Sunrise has a pip up, and maybe another hosta or two I can't remember off hand. I am looking at the Accuweather calendar for the rest of April and the first week of May, and they have amended their forecast to no night lower than low 40s and most in the 50s. I keep looking at the gorgeous plants I brought back from Gettysburg and want so much to go ahead and put them into my window boxes. But caution stays my hand. So far, my bleeding heart, on a shelf between a hosta and a large heuchie, has shown absolutely no sign of returning. I hope it's not dead.