Protecting Plants During a Cold Snap
Count on Mother Nature to remind us that every day is different and change is constant. Just when we were starting to think that warmer weather was here to stay, here comes an early spring cold snap to put things in perspective. Many plants can handle the cold just fine but newly formed flower buds, tender new growth and early sprouting seedlings will need to be protected. Here are a few tips for protecting your plants through a cold snap:
Bring It In
One of the simplest ways to protect plants from the cold is to bring them indoors, either inside your home or garage. This is easy to do with hanging baskets or container gardens. We do not recommend digging up a plant from the yard. Be sure to keep plants away from vents that may cause them to dry out.
Cover Your Bloomers
Use an old sheet or piece of cloth to drape over tender plants that may have fresh green growth or newly formed flower buds. Never use plastic as a covering. Use sticks or stakes to keep cover from coming in direct contact with tender growth. The cloth will keep the heat from the ground insulated around the plant. Be sure to remove the cover after temperatures warm the next morning. For newly planted warm season veggies like tomatoes or peppers, construct a make shift cold frame (like an open greenhouse).
Mulch
Mulch acts as an insulator and helps keep plants moist and warm. This will prevent cold temperatures from damaging the roots of newly planted trees, shrubs or perennials.
Have a question about how to protect a specific plant? Give us a call or email us at info@fairviewgardencenter.com