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Toni: Your article about frost heave was most interesting, although generally in NC we don't have to worry about that. However, this may be one of those winters when we have more northern-like temps. We've already had several days of below freezing weather. This morning the northern half of NC is getting snow, not just in the mountains, and I just planted 3 expensive roses yesterday when it was 61. Now we're in for frigid temps and windy conditions.
Toni, I was wondering the same thing! I have no ready access to evergreen boughs, but we've got our leaves, the neighbor's leaves, last year's leaves, the rest of the neighborhood's leaves ... leaves we have. Thank you for reminding me of this now instead of me having to hit myself over the head in April!
My references stated that the evergreen boughs provide protection and keep the soil temperature from changing too quickly. There was no elaboration on this, but the author did say that mulch or pine bark would work, but not as well because of its density. I should probably dig a little deeper and see if I can find a more definitive reason. :o)
I think a significant layer of leaves surrounding the base of the plant would work just fine.
Okay, I got it, just had to think it through ... the evergreen boughs have 'air pockets' or spaces between the branches, thus they don't 'pack' densely like chips. So, straw would offer a similar protection. Leaves might work as well, or might not, depending on shape and if they have been run over with a mulching mower.
Darius, I'm thinking with the leaves thing that the larger ones (hence, more fluffy) would be better than mulched. We have industrial quantities of oak here, with leaves reaching 7 inches long. When they gather in a corner or against the fence, they provide a pretty good layer of insulation.
Certainly something to think about if one doesn't have evergreens handy, or doesn't want to cut them.
