They should be protected if you suspect frost could form or if the temperatures are predicted to dip below freezing. Some plants are tolerant of light frosts and freezing temperatures, but the following plants are all susceptible to frost. Plants That Are Most Sensitive to Frost Damage However, if either the dew point or the predicted low are below that, err on the side of caution and protect frost-sensitive plants. If the dew point is over 45 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s unlikely to frost overnight if the predicted overnight low temperature is 36 degrees Fahrenheit or above. Listen to a local evening weather report or check an online weather site, such as Weather Underground, to find the dew point-meaning the temperature at which a cloud will form. Frost, on the other hand, is a visible coating of fine ice crystals that form on plants, cars, the lawn, and other outdoor objects, but the two are not the same.įrost can develop at any temperature below 40 degrees Fahrenheit if moisture is abundant in the air. A light freeze occurs when the temperature drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. To protect plants from frost, it’s imperative to understand the difference between an actual frost and a light freeze. Frost or Light Freeze: What’s the Difference? When ordering new plants online or purchasing them from a garden center, check the plant’s recommended growing zones before purchasing. But, before planting any flower, bush, or tree in the yard, determine first if the plant will grow well in your zone. If the intent is to grow semi-tropical plants outdoors during the warm summer months and then pull them inside before the weather cools, the hardiness map is less critical. The interactive USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map allows growers to see the climate zone where they live in order to select plants wisely. When creating a perennial landscape, home gardeners should select plant species that will survive in the local climate. Remember that the first and last frost dates are averages based on previously recorded frost dates-the actual frost dates will very likely vary by the year and current weather patterns. Search the Farmer’s Almanac by ZIP code to find out the dates relative to where you live. The easiest way to protect plants from frost is to plan ahead! Mother Nature can be fickle, but outdoor gardeners should know the average first and last frost dates for their region. RELATED: Upgrade Your Winter Garden with These Colorful Perennials Know Your Local Frost Dates Just follow this guide for how to protect plants from frost-you and your garden will be glad you did! But why wait till the last minute to swoop in and save your plants? The best way to prevent frost damage is to gather and implement strategies before a cold front. Pay attention to clues like the state of the sky, keeping in mind that temperatures are more likely to dip dangerously on clear nights that lack insulating cloud cover. Local weather forecasts can tip you off to frosts, but you shouldn’t depend on them entirely. Protecting plants from frost will extend their growing season. Tender annuals usually die from frost exposure, and while trees and shrubs can survive, they’ll lose any buds or mature fruit. When a plant experiences frost damage, leaves may appear wet and limp due to ice forming within the cells, interrupting the natural flow of water throughout the plant. Learning how to protect plants from frost isn’t a complex undertaking-but it does require keeping an eye on the weather forecast and being ready to act at a moment’s notice.
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