Which plants should be covered?

Midnight Reiter Too · Post by **Midnight Reiter Too** » Apr 23, 2005 6:23 pm

We're having freezing temps tonight after almost summery weather. I covered my hydrangeas because I had trimmed them back. I also covered the butterfly bush because I had trimmed that back, too. I covered my 2 Midnight Reiters because they're so special to me. I put my potted strawberry in the garage.

What plants should be covered when there's an unexpected frost?

Old earth dog · Post by **Old earth dog** » Apr 23, 2005 9:54 pm

Whatever you decide to cover, don't use plastic. That will "burn" any part of the plant it touches.

BillyB · Post by **BillyB** » Apr 23, 2005 10:49 pm

I remember someone telling me, if you get up early and wash off any frost that has settled on your plants, that they may not suffer much damage if any. Or if the wind stays up a little, not much frost will settle. Is this true? The reason I ask this is, temp are suppose to get down to 35* and every thing is up and going strong: Hosta are all leafed out, Iris is up and blooming strong. Alot of other perennials are starting to fill in nicely. I'm worried too, along with alot of other people.

Old earth dog · Post by **Old earth dog** » Apr 23, 2005 11:13 pm

My mom's uncle swore by the early rinse idea with his tomatoes. The best chances for frost are a clear, calm night. Cloud cover and wind will help ward it off.

Midnight Reiter Too · Post by **Midnight Reiter Too** » Apr 23, 2005 11:36 pm

Well, it's 10:31 PM. So what's done is done. I didn't know we shouldn't use plastic. The hydrangeas and butterfly bush have plastic trash bags on them. But for the little 'Midnight Reiter' cranesbills, I turned flowerpots upside down and put rocks on the pots.

Thanks for the tips about rinsing and the wind. I would never have known! You guys are great.

Gardendollee · Post by **Gardendollee** » Apr 24, 2005 3:17 pm

Well I looked out and saw the snow this morning and was a little concerned. I didn't cover a thing! I only brought all my pots and seedlings in the garage.

Luckily there was no carnage, no verdant armagedon. Mother nature is tricky that way...i believe most plants can take one or two frosts. Unless they are really tender.

Right now it is bright and deceivingly sunny but very cold.
Last weekend free for a few weeks and i am stuck inside

BillyB · Post by **BillyB** » Apr 24, 2005 8:51 pm

It was about 34* this morning. It's going to get down to 28* tonight.

Hoosier Gardener · Post by **Hoosier Gardener** » Apr 25, 2005 9:03 pm

Midnight Reiter how did your plants that you covered with plastic come through the cold spell? My hubby covered a clematis vine with one of the insulated bags we use for keeping take out food hot and the vine came through fine. Hope yours made it okay too.

BillyB · Post by **BillyB** » Apr 25, 2005 10:49 pm

BillyB wrote:It was about 34* this morning. It's going to get down to 28* tonight.

Well, it got down to about 34-35 again last night. Not near as much frost this morning, everything looks O.K. wheeew! Got an Iris show Mothers Day and was concerned what these two cold spells might do to the bloom stalks.