The Pitiful Louisiana Freeze-Scare

OK. So, it's going to 'freeze' and we all freak out. Of course, we can be forgiven for this because

(a) it hardly ever freezes and
(b) we actually have crops that will be killed by this.

The seasonal crops, well, that's just the way it goes. Plant some more stuff next month. It's a roll of the dice. But then there are the long-term issues. Like fruit trees. We already know not to put the Meyer Lemon trees in the ground. That would just be asking for it. So we move to ever-bigger pots each year. And we haul them into-the-house; out-of-the-house etc. etc. We think this is worth the effort. I mean, hey - it's January, and there are lemons in the living room!
But there are the 'Louisiana fruits', right? Satsumas, yes. Figs, yes. Both must be planted in the ground for the long term, and both must be protected for the 48-hour nastiness of freezing temps we get once a year, maybe twice. And so, last week, we knew we must prepare. Will thought about it...sheets draped? Plastic? Both? and then there is the wind. Would either or both blow off? And what of the middle of the day? Sometimes it warms up so much you have to uncover them, then cover them back up. And, if covered by too many layers, they will drop their leaves for lack of sun. So...we have (TADAAA) the Satsuma Teepees!
This is the skeleton only, of course. We kept the Satsumas in pots for two years, or maybe it was three, before we finally put them in the ground. A couple of years from now, they'll be too big for this, but for now it will do. I mean, 24 DEGREES! Thats' big stuff for down here. A layer of plastic, then a sheet, and there you have it! (notice the very lazy dogs in the background)...and now we get to the 'totally lame' part. You know, we don't get ice. I mean, the natural kind. So, if we want to see ice, we have to make our own. We are not the only ones guilty of this, I know that. But as long as you're keeping a little bit of water running, you might as well try to make something pretty and icy for the morning after. We've done better, I must say, but here is our pitiful ice event...don't laugh! Besides, the whole thing is so last week...today and yesterday and the day before that..70 degrees. Now all we have is a very soggy sad garden. However, the carrots look good, the Collards can take anything, and the spinach is all for me! (sadly, there's not enough for the public...maybe early spring for another round).