Re: Re: CULT: Winter Heaving

In a message dated 7/23/01 1:14:20 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
ellengalla@yahoo.com writes:

< The danger zone for freeze-thaw seems to be USDA Zones 4-7. TBs seem 
 to be the prime target presumably due to size of rhizomes.>

Yep, freeze and thaw cycles are but one of the challenges of the Zombie Zone 
here in Louisville, KY, Zone 6 (sometimes more like 5b).  We rarely have snow 
cover for extended periods, and have lots of variation in temps and rainfall 
in winter.  We usually pot all purchased irises when they arrive in the 
summer and plant them, with their soil, into the garden in October.  They 
usually have well established root systems by then which helps to keep them 
from heaving.  However, after a freeze, we check on all the irises and if we 
find any are beginning to heave, we simply push them back into the ground.  
The important thing, of course, is to keep the roots from being exposed to 
freezing temperatures.  They don't seem offended at all by being shoved back 
where they belong!  A charter member of the Louisville Area Iris Society 
(that, incidentally will celebrate its golden anniversary next year) told us 
years ago that he put a half brick on newly planted rhizomes during the 
winter...same principle as Chris' rocks...and he never had any that heaved.

Judy Hunt, in aforementioned Louisville, KY, Zone 6, the muggy capital of the 
world at present

 

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