Daily Archives: December 19, 2012

Frost Warning Tonight – Yes, here in Los Angeles?!

Dark Day - PaD 1/30/07
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOS ANGELES/OXNARD CA
154 PM PST WED DEC 19 2012

...SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES ACROSS PORTIONS OF THE SOUTHLAND
OVERNIGHT...
THERE WILL BE ANOTHER ROUND OF SUB-FREEZING
TEMPERATURES OVERNIGHT INTO EARLY THURSDAY MORNING...PRODUCING
AREAS OF FROST.
* TEMPERATURES...FALLING TO BETWEEN 28 AND 32 DEGREES ACROSS
  WIND SHELTERED LOCATIONS LATE TONIGHT THROUGH EARLY THURSDAY
  MORNING.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FROST ADVISORY MEANS THAT FROST IS IMMINENT. SENSITIVE OUTDOOR
PLANTS MAY BE KILLED IF LEFT UNCOVERED.

People sometimes forget that Los Angeles is a near desert environment and, as such, it can get some pretty low temperatures of the weather patterns are right. I can remember at least 3 times in the past 26 when we have had dipped below 32F. In fact, about 10 years ago, we had enough of a freeze, over several days, that I lost many of the tropical plants that had been planted by the previous owners.

So, it can happen. Looking at detailed forecasts for our immediate area here in Van Nuys, we will probably get down into the 30’s, but not get an actual frost tonight. The temperature isn’t dropping that quickly, unlike last night when it “plummeted” after sundown. I might cover my containers where I am growing herbs and such before I go to bed, but I am not that worried about tonight.

Still, even here we need to stay aware of the weather and how it will effect our gardens. 

Photo: Sunset New Western Garden Book, 4th Edition, 1979

I saw this at a client’s house and had to grab a quick shot. I actually thought it was even older, but 1979 still makes it over 30 years old. I bought what was the current edition(8th) when I purchased my house in 1996 and have used it a lot since. Sunset released a new edition of the Sunset Western Garden Book this year so you can continue to get great information about your western garden. It has a lot of great, specific information for western gardeners — whether you live on the coast, in the mountains or in the desert. A great reference book!

Sunset New Western Garden Book, 4th Edition, 1979 

Link: Sunset Western Garden Book, 9th Edition, 2012

“The goal of sketching in the garden is to see things more clearly…”

From A Gardener’s Notebook by Douglas E. Welch…

“The goal of sketching in the garden is to see things more clearly not necessarily make a perfect reproduction of them on paper.”

Download a sample of this book, or buy your own copy, via Amazon.com.

** You can read Kindle books on nearly any device including your computer, tablet or smartphon