The 2021 polar vortex, not necessarily a bad thingMay 05, 2021

By Jeff Floyd, Midland College Grounds Supervisor

The 2021 polar vortex that blanketed the Great Plains and spilled off the Llano Estacado as far south as Val Verde County will have long-lasting impacts on our landscapes.  Some bad, some not so bad.  It’s true that just over a week’s worth of sub-freezing temperatures killed a lot of plants outright, but others, especially established trees, shrubs and vines have a hidden back up plan.  If ever that plan was needed, this year is it. 

Near the end of winter as day length and temperatures increase, buds swell just before emerging as new leaves or branches.  That process was just ramping up in early February.  While buds were full of water and completely exposed, the freeze struck.  A lot of these buds ruptured and were destroyed.  

But plants, especially trees, are ready for this.  Just beneath each primary bud is often a secondary one, still inactive, only to be stirred when the first is damaged.  Trees came up with backup systems long before the clever folks at NASA.

This is where our patience gets tried.  Most established plants store enough food reserves to wake up and support secondary buds when necessary.  Many have three or even four dormant buds near the original, and there are enough stored sugars for them, also.  Therefore, plants are often able to re-leaf more than once.  However, waking up a sleepy bud is a lot like stirring a teenager out of bed in the morning; it takes a little time.  Meanwhile, our patience could easily become exhausted long before these dormant buds begin to show any signs of life.  

People may be struggling with an urge to remove plants from their landscape that appear dead.  A good way to determine if a tree, shrub or vine is still alive is to use the old-fashioned scratch test.  Just scratch a little of the bark away with your fingernail.  If you see any green tissue, the plant is still alive.  One truism in horticulture is this: an established plant is easier to care for than a replacement.  The message – endure just a while longer; many woody plants will reward your patience.  

If you must replace plants, move fast.  A lot of folks are shopping nurseries right now, and nurseries are struggling to meet demand.  Some are finding it necessary to travel out of state for plants.  Demand has been so high for at least one large grower in central Texas, they were forced to pause sales for a week just to reorganize.  That is certainly something unusual during spring. 

So, what’s the good news?  The 200+ hours of arctic temperatures killed a lot of pest insects, so it should be a great year to garden.  Its also proving to be a good year to see wildflowers.  Therefore, try not to agonize too much and take a trip toward the sea of bluebonnets, fire wheels and larkspurs in the Texas wine country.  Your landscape may even look a little better by the time you return.