http://3acrehomestead.blogspot.com/2009/02/more-record-setting-temperatures-for.html
Saturday, February 7, 2009
More Record Setting Temperatures for Florida
I have lived in Florida all my life and while we have had very cold weather I do not remember it getting as low as it has here in a very long time. Wednesdays low was 10 degrees with the low on Thursday even lower, 9 degrees. Friday morning was 12 degrees. I remember in the late 80’s having some very cold temperatures and in 1991 we had a snow flurry in downtown (now called Uptown) St. Augustine, Florida. Not sure how cold it got over in St. Augustine this year as I am now 2 1/2 hours inland.
I have learned that the ducks and chicks do not need the heat lamp. They have been just fine. The Coop protects them from any drafts. I have a 12” layer of hay on the floor of the coop. My hens and duck are still laying eggs for me. I thought they would slow down with the cold weather. Being that they probably do not have as much to forage for while they free roam during the day I have been supplementing them with a little more food than usual. I also opened up the garden and have been letting them clean it up for me. While they have loved cleaning up what is left in the garden I think they love the collards best.
The Advantages of the deep freezes we have been having is the summer mosquito’s should not be as bad. At least that is what they say. I will have to let you know on that one.
I am going to work in the garden today cleaning up and starting to get ready for the warmer weather. I will also start some seeds inside as I personally think we will have some very cold weather thru March. After roaming around Lowes one day I noticed that they have the grow lights that provide the UV rays not only in the bigger sizes but also lightbulb size that you can put in a lamp to set over your plants. I am going to purchase some for my plants inside. While I do have the greenhouse with the temperatures getting as low as they have everything I put inside froze. I think it will be cheaper and greener to start some plants inside than to provide heat outside in the greenhouse. We have kept the thermostat in the house set between 60 to 64 degrees. I tried 59 and it was a bit uncomfortable.
Note, If you go looking for the lightbulbs at Lowes they are in the aisle with light bulbs, bottom shelf next to the heat lamp bulbs.
Posted by Barbara at 5:11 AM
Labels: chicks, Ducks, Weather
I've been trying to find some answers on greenhouses. We have such trouble with bugs up here I'm thinking I should build a greenhouse rather than plant in the ground. Could you tell me if you get a lot of bugs in the greenhouse?
More freezing weather on the way to you, Calif. is expecting a 1500’ snow level, so I will get far more this time.
Sounds like Florida has a real problem with gores global warming.......meant as a joke.
When Florida freezes and Calif is out of water, we get imported foods with only God knows what diseases on them.