Getting used to the winters? (Knoxville: Valentine's day, live, move)

[trobesmom]

We are contemplating a move from Florida to the area and are wondering approx how many months the trees and vegetation in the Knoxville area are barren during the winter? We love the idea of the seasons and such (and many other things about the area), but are not sure if we can get used to months of leafless vegetation and no greenery (having seen such in the Asheville area for months on end). Are there others who have moved to NE Tenn from the deep south and had a hard time getting used to this aspect?

[NJDevil]

it is "barren" from November to the end of February. The mountains are still leafless thru March, but lots of things start budding the last week of Feb. If you're not used to winter at all, no experience with it, you may get the doldrums in Jan and Feb. But it doesn't get real cold either. The coldest spell will come in Jan or Feb, and it may be for only a week (of 20 degree weather). Otherwise it is usually in the 40s during the day. Coming from FL, I do miss some of the beautiful plants and trees that bloomed all year long. You spend time pruning and shaping things and then they lose all their leaves and you have to start all over again. Our plant zone is more like the north than the south; say goodbye to anything tropical. But, it's much prettier than FL in general (if you like nature & mountains) so I can live with the plant thing. Also, I had no problems with poison ivy until I moved here. But there's ways to deal with everything!

[Tn405]

The coldest are Feb and March. We got light dustings of snow flakes in Jan and Feb this year. I love it more than Florida. I know it gets bare but they you think wow when Spring comes I find myself saying look at all this green. The hills are great and lots of vegetation. No hills in Florida.

[trobesmom]

Thanks for the input! I guess we have a lot to think about.

[MrsMtnsOnTheMind]

I am probably one of the rare few that hates everything so sunny and green. I love to see the yellow and reds of autumn and I love a barren winter day more than anything. But then again, I love rain and thunderstorms too.

[jabogitlu]

I'm with you, MrsMtns. I love the deep lush black-green of summer in the mountains, but I also love the lush red of autumn and the stark white and gray of winter. The secret to getting through winters here is to get out and experience them. You will find that life hasn't actually temporarily died, it's just changed a bit. Wintertime here is just as alive as summer.

[Barking Spider]

Need to keep in mind that there are still a lot of evergreen trees in the area, so it is not all barren and brown during the windter.

[Kitties of Domination]

Originally Posted by NJDevil

it is "barren" from November to the end of February. The mountains are still leafless thru March, but lots of things start budding the last week of Feb. If you're not used to winter at all, no experience with it, you may get the doldrums in Jan and Feb. But it doesn't get real cold either. The coldest spell will come in Jan or Feb, and it may be for only a week (of 20 degree weather). Otherwise it is usually in the 40s during the day. Coming from FL, I do miss some of the beautiful plants and trees that bloomed all year long. You spend time pruning and shaping things and then they lose all their leaves and you have to start all over again. Our plant zone is more like the north than the south; say goodbye to anything tropical. But, it's much prettier than FL in general (if you like nature & mountains) so I can live with the plant thing. Also, I had no problems with poison ivy until I moved here. But there's ways to deal with everything!

Our plant zone is more like the north? Zone 7? Last time I checked, nearly all of the "traditional" southern plants are found here in abundance (Magnolias, azaleas, camellias, bamboo, laurels). I even have some palm trees growing in my yard. About 7 or 8 of of 10 of our winters are actually zone 8. Maybe you were thinking the south Jersey shore?

[MrsMtnsOnTheMind]

Originally Posted by Kitties of Domination

Our plant zone is more like the north? Zone 7? Last time I checked, nearly all of the "traditional" southern plants are found here in abundance (Magnolias, azaleas, camellias, bamboo, laurels). I even have some palm trees growing in my yard. About 7 or 8 of of 10 of our winters are actually zone 8. Maybe you were thinking the south Jersey shore?

Say it ain't so? I don't ever want to see another palm tree for the rest of my life.

[Kitties of Domination]

Don't worry they're mainly just the shrubby kind. My ex said that they would just be considered "weeds" in FL There are quite a few planted on campus. Many of the non-trunked palms are hardy to zone 6 and 7.

I-75 Tennessee's Palm Corridor pictures from cityscapes photos on webshots

BTW, the thing about Knoxville winters is that they can vary alot from week to week and year to year. "True" winter is usually Christmas to Valentine's day. During this period it alternates mainly between cool and rainy and cold and sunny with occasional days in the 60's. In fact, I often tell people that half of a TN winter is Seattle. Expect quite a few cool, misty days where it seems like the clouds are on the ground. Some days you will wonder how it can still be raining when it feels so chilly. It can get pretty cold, but usually only for short periods. Expect several very cold mornings between5 and 15 degrees. I've lived here all of my life and I still can't get used to those mornings! November, December, and late Feb./March are the transition period, mainly 50s and 60's with occasional chilly periods. Expect a light dusting or two most years with occasional "big" snows (4-6 inches). Ice storms can also happen and if they do, call in to work. Keep in mind that this on average and can vary. Last winter was colder than normal and the two years before that were very warm with days in the 60's and 70's. For the record, Asheville can be quite a bit colder than even Knoxville so bear this in mind. If it is cold and rainy here it is often snowing in the highlands.