Weather Tidbits: Frost & Freeze Impacts on Plants

This edition of Weather Tidbits is going to be discussing the impact of cold temperatures on plants and how to protect them. Plants can be damaged by frost or a freeze, so it is important to take the necessary precautions to protect them. When temperatures are in the upper 30s, your plants will be okay. However, if the temperature drops to 36 degrees, you need to monitor the forecast. At temperatures between 36 and 34 degrees, frost is possible. Temperature measurements are taken around 5 feet above the ground. The temperature at the immediate surface, however, could be colder. Particularly if a night features clear skies and calm conditions. So, while the 5-foot temperature reading is above freezing, the immediate surface could be at freezing. Frost is likely with temperatures between 34 and 32 degrees, so sensitive plants should be covered. A light freeze will occur at 32 degrees, and a hard freeze will occur below 30 degrees. Use a covering with cloth material over the plant rather than plastic for protection.