Freeze Warning Tonight Means Spring Blooms are in Danger

Yes, it's nearly May and we've had some pleasant spring days, but those cold nights are being stubborn. So there is another freeze warning for overnight and the early morning.

The National Weather Service says temperatures will fall below freezing overnight, with temperatures dropping into the mid- to upper 20s in most areas by sunrise. The freeze warning is in effect from 2-8 a.m.

Several hours of below freezing temperatures can damage unprotected vegetation, especially fruit trees on which blossoms have formed. So, cover up anything you want to protect and cross your fingers we escape the wrath of Jack Frost.

Tips to protect from spring frost

• Cover plants and flowers with frost cloth or a sheet.
• Remove the frost cloth first in the morning; otherwise, the sun will trap heat and cause more damage.
• Water the garden and containers before a hard freeze and again after the freeze. The added moisture will allow the plants to tolerate the cold and bounce back to life.
• Don’t worry if plants are droopy the day after a deep freeze. Give them time and they’ll usually spring back.
• Adding a layer of mulch to gardens helps regulate the temperature and keep plants moist. Cover gardens with a 1-2 inch layer of mulch.
• Plants in containers can be grouped closely together on a porch or patio, or moved to a protected area.