Jack Frost was back this morning and this time his icy breath was a killer! When I first awoke and looked out the window the world outside was white. It was still dark, so I snuggled back under the covers but I knew what would be waiting in the garden when it was daylight. The frosted thyme on the patio at the west end of the house resembled silver edge thyme. It looked quite beautiful.
Red creeping thyme was originally planted here. Thyme that grows wild has mixed with it and I have given up trying to weed thyme from the thyme. Both plants are extremely tough and went right back to green when the frost was gone.
At first glance the basil planted right outside my kitchen door doesn't look so bad. It has the same silver edges as the thyme. A closer look shows more. Basil is tender and with the temperature below freezing, Jack's icy frozen breath was the kiss of death!
When the sun hit this plant the frosted cells in the leaves exploded and turned to slime. It was great to have fresh basil this late, but it's all over now. Only the clean-up remains.
A close look at this Grandpa Ott morning glory leaf shows Jack's icy breath on the entire leaf. It's location on top of the porch railing did not protect it.
This plant looks a little better than the basil, but it is just as dead. Next year basil will be back because we will plant it. Grandpa Ott seeds unfazed by the cold will return when the ground warms. I still love a four season garden. You need and end to have that wonderful new beginning!
