BE PREPARED TO PROTECT OUR PLANTS TONIGHT! Pansies, Dianthus, Dusty Miller,Snapdragons, and perennials and bulbs that are coming up should be fine with temperatures to 28 degrees.

Looking at the weather forecast, it looks like there could be frost in many surrounding areas. And whether your yard receives a frost will depend on your location, and even more specific, whether the area is protected by the house, overhead structures, trees, or even sidewalks and driveways.

Nevertheless, do be aware that the chance of frost is there, and tender foliage, tropical plants, annuals, etc. would be susceptible to frost damages.

For tender plants growing in containers, move inside the garage, unheated porch, or inside the home. Even under a large overhang helps to protect the plants in some situations. Tender plants include annuals, vegetables (not the greens and root crops), tropical plants, etc.

For tender plants already in the ground, watering the soil during the day can help as well as considering covering with grow covers, light sheets ‘tented’ over the plants, or by using upside down pots, cardboard boxes, glass jars, milk jugs or just about any solid structure, as well as tomato cages wrapped in protective covering, etc. Do not lay plastic over plants as a cover. The only way to use plastic is if you can create a greenhouse over the plants, using the plastic as the outer covering (not touching the plants). And be cautious laying any material directly on plants, as rain or snow could weigh down the material and cause physical damages to the plants. ‘Tenting’ is your best bet.

For light frosts, where you can’t cover, you may try hosing off your plants in the morning before the sun comes up. This has varying results, but worth the try with light frosts.

Again, whether your area will have frost depends on each location. Watch the weather forecasts, and watch the thermometer to see if the temps dip below 40 degrees. And if you’re not sure whether to cover tender annuals and other tender plants; when in doubt, cover. (If you have basil outdoors, it is very cold tender!)

May the Holy Spirit Guide You!  God Bless
Edward Knapton
President Berry Hill Farms, Inc.
DBA Americas Best Flowers Garden Center
4311 Vilas Hope Road
Cottage Grove, WI 53527
608-222-2269 Fax 608-222-1234 Cell 608-698-5627
ed@americasbestflowers.com
www.americasbestflowers.com
Also President of The Commercial Flower Growers of Wisconsin
www.cfgw.org