Protecting Your Moringa Tree in Harsh Climates

Well winter is here in Mina, Nevada. The average daytime temp right now is 45 to 60 degrees. The low is 19 to 28 degrees, well below freezing. Moringa trees do not freeze well. So I have done my best to protect them.

The leaves are gone now but you get the idea. The picture has the wrong date stamp. We had lost the directions on how to change it.....we finally corrected it.

I am now testing the Moringa Tree's  winter hardiness using the following methods:  

I have about 9 trees that are about 5 feet tall. They are either planted in 20 gal black plastic containers or in 33 gal trash cans with wheels. I have one in our wash room, part of the house; three in a small enclosed porch area off the living room; and the rest in the unheated shed. I have mulched all the tree roots with straw.

The trees in the shed are given special protection. I have wrapped each trunk with Polyethylene tube pipe insulation. It comes as a 6 foot long tube, 1 inch diameter, with a edge perforated into it. You open the tube at the perforated edge, then wrap it around the trunk. It is very easy to apply. I got the idea as were winterizing our outside water pipes. It seemed to me if it can keep pipes from freezing, it should work on the trunks. Then I used the heavy plastic bags our chicken feed comes in, to cover it as well. The tubing cost two bucks a piece, with each tree taking at least two tubes if not more. As the trunk gets larger in diameter, I am not sure where you can get larger pipe diameter insulation tubes. I got the one inch, which was the largest they carried. You could use two on each trunk, then use duct tape to keep them attached. My trees are worth the money and effort. Each one is worth close to $100 dollars or more.

The one in the house was left uninsulated so I can see if it will again get some leaves. It will be interesting to see when it comes out of its winter hibernation. We nearly ruined our backs trying to get that 5 foot tree in its 33 gal trash can up several stairs. It was too tall to get into the doorway so had to lower it while dragging it. In spring it is just going to be wheeled outside on the porch. It will get full sun there plus some wind protection.

I will let you know how the experiment fares in Spring. I will not know the answer until then.

I will upload a picture tomorrow. My camera seems to be hiding after a recent trip to San Diego.

Hope you have a great weekend.
Visit http://www.moringa4healing.com to order seeds, Moringa powder in caps and in bulk as well. 

Kate, the Herbladyisin