Released November 14, 2008
by Ginny Roby
To make a ‘frost blanket” for some newly divided/transplanted Iris
rhizomes I have, I gathered all my fleece scraps and using a zig-zag
stitch, sewed them together, then cut the ‘blanket’ to a rectangle
approximately 3′ x 7′ in size.
I then cut two panels the same size from a tarp I was not using and
pinned the tarp pieces, with the ‘blanket’ inside (making a sandwich,
essentially the tarp pieces are on the outside and the fleece is on
the inside). I then sewed around the entire parameter (all four sides).
I took the resultant ‘frost blanket’ and anchored it with rocks over
my transplants just before an expected freeze. I removed it the next
day as it warmed up. I do this before each frost until the the
weather stays in ‘winter’ mode, then I store the blanket for the
following year. This helps new plants harden for the winter, and
offers a lot of convenience for very little little effort.
Your idea sounds great, EXCEPT here in northern Montana, during winter, it doesn’t even get above freezing during the day! So I have to pull all my irises and dwarf glads and store them under the house in the winter, sigh.
Comment by Sunny Chandonais — November 15, 2008 @ 2:23 pm
I could have used this tip a month ago before some of my iris rhizomes were stolen. I just replanted them in front of a treed area out of sight of the house. Well, now when I replant the rest of them I have this new exciting ideas to put to work for a beautiful spring. - Thanks.
Comment by seanstress_irene — December 5, 2008 @ 1:28 am