Weather can be fickle sometimes. Especially if you live in Middle Tennessee. One day it’s sunny and 75 degrees, and the next it’s close to freezing. Late frost is an issue every year, so it’s important to keep in mind when preparing your plants for the new season. Nashville trees have already started budding and some daffodils have bloomed. It’s a beautiful thing! But with that beauty comes a risk for early spring frost. So when that cold snap decides to hit, it’s best to be prepared.
Here are some ways to protect your plants:
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Water the plants thoroughly before the freeze hits. This adds insulation to the soil and plant cells.
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Bring plants indoors. Obviously this isn’t a great solution for all plants, but anything potted can be brought in for protection.
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If you have small sprouts, protect them by placing a pot or coffee tin over them. Just be sure to uncover them the following day when the temperature hits above freezing. These baby sprouts need their sunlight!
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Larger plants or shrubs can be covered by burlap or old bed sheets. Place the cloth across the entire plant and let it reach the ground. This not only insulates the plant but the soil as well. Like the previous tip, remove the cloth the next day when the sun pops back out.
Sometimes frost occurs suddenly and your plants are left unprotected. If this happens, possible damage could occur. Over the course of a few days, take note of the buds on your plants. If there has been discoloration (such as dark brown or black), then your plants are probably damaged. If your plants stay green and no discoloration occurs then your tough, little plants fought through the cold snap!
Sometimes assessing the damage can be hard to spot. If you have questions about your landscape and plants, contact the Parke Company to come check it out. They’ll be able to tell you the severity of the damage and the next steps for your landscape. If you have yet to schedule your landscape maintenance or design, there’s no better time than now! With spring in full swing, your trees and landscape is ready to see more color.
For more information about the Parke Company’s services contact them today!