The freezing weather we are currently experiencing can harm or kill plants and damage crops. The cold weather especially frost, causes the water in the plant cells to freeze, damaging the cell wall.
Plants most vulnerable to frost are:
- Spring blooming shrubs and trees such as cherry, azalea and rhododendron
- House plants and tropicals
- Tender bulbs such as elephant ear and dahlia
- Warm season annuals such as geranium and petunia
- Warm season vegetables such as peppers, tomatoes and corn
- Citrus trees
- Bring potted plant indoors. This is easiest solution. Take your hanging baskets and potted plants and bring them indoors. They can be placed in the garage or a sunroom, where they will be protected from the harsh elements.
- Apply a layer of mulch. Mulch made of wheat or pine straw will act as an insulator, holding in heat and moisture in the soil. Applying a layer of 2-3 inches will trap the heat well providing a much-needed layer of insulation.
- Cover your plants. Larger plants can be covered with bed sheets, blankets or other fabric (avoid using plastic). For best results, drape the cover over a frame to keep the fabric from touching the foliage. Make sure your cover drapes to the ground. Uncover in the morning when the temperature rises.
- Water your plants before a heavy freeze. By watering the soil prior to a very cold night, you will allow the soil to trap the heat better when it is wet than when it is dry. Don’t water soil that is frozen, as it will make the conditions for the plant more difficult.
- Shake excess snow from branches of trees, shrubs and hedges, to prevent them from becoming disfigured by the weight of the snow accumulation.
- Remove heavy deposits of snow from the roods of greenhouses and frames to let in light, and preventing the structures from bending.
- Avoid walking on snow-covered grass as it will damage the turf underneath and leave unsightly marks on the lawn.