I thought this information in a National Weather Service report about Northern Nevada was interesting:

[F]or the 30-year period of 1971-2000 . . . the average date of last 32° temperature in the spring was May 21 while the date of first 32° temperature in the autumn was October 3. Data for the most recent 15 years (1991-2005) shows that the frost-free period has lengthened. For this period the date of last 32° reading was May 3, and the date of first 32° reading in the autumn was October 19 . . .  an increase of a full month.

I must have been getting my advice from "old school" gardeners when I got started in the 1970s, because the average date of the first killing frost has been stuck in my head all this time as Sept. 10. I did notice it kept happening later, but I never dared to count on it. Likewise, I've been careful not to plant fragile annuals before Memorial Day. I've obviously been too conservative.

The Gazette-Journal published a related story recently. It says, "Reno's average temperature from 1971 to 2000 was 51.3 degrees and in 2007 was 55.3 degrees." My first thought was average temperatures go up in cities over time because of warmth from asphalt, etc. But that's not the case according to the article; Nevada State Climatologist Jeff Underwood told the reporter, "I do agree with (the report) that it wasn't a local phenomenon induced by urban heat islands or the positioning of the thermometers on the ground."

I've been meaning to take advantage of the climate change by indulging in plants I've believed until now would freeze to death during the winter. I've been in such a habit of buying plants hardy to 20 degrees (another "old school" mantra, I suppose) that I'm going to have to do some research to see what's a little less hardy.

I've also been trying to take note of what the frost has killed so far and what hasn't. I guess the information would be helpful in choosing annuals for the longest season possible. So, for it's worth, here's what I've observed.

Plants that wilted and turned black with the first hard freeze:

• Four o'clock
• Geranium
• Fuchsia (a word I have to look up every time!)
• Heliotrope
• Ivy geranium
• Cosmos
• Marigold
• Vinca (the annual, aka Madagascar periwinkle)
  
• Lemon balm
• Basil
  
• Tomato
• Pumpkin
• Green bean

Plants that are doing great after a few weeks of temperatures occasionally dipping into the 20s:

• Salvia
• Dianthus
• Pansy
• Mallows
• Lantana (surprise!)
• Purple robe
• Snapdragon
• Verbena
• Alyssum
  
• Campanula glomerata (a bell flower)
  
• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Tarragon

Darn! I keep forgetting to water them now!

Oh—and there's a little surprise. A freesia, of all things, that I planted in a pot at least a year ago, that never bloomed, and that I thought had rotted long ago has sprouted! I wonder if there's any hope for it if I keep watering it.

Our weather has been absolutely beautiful lately. With a little luck, our Indian summer will last until Nevada Day. That day, in case you didn't know, is traditionally stormy. The original Nevada Day was October 31, but since 2000 it's been honored the last Friday of the month with a parade in Carson City the next day. Now we have to guess: Will the stormy day be October 31 or the day school kids and state employees get the day off or the day of the parade? (OK, this year the last Friday of the month is October 31, so we just have two choices this time.)