TEMPLE, TX — The cold snap has threatened plants and forced many gardeners and nurseries to take precautions.
“We keep them inside when it’s cold like this, we don’t bring them outside,” said Lindsey Strait, owner of Temple Feed and Supply. Nurseries rely on a large stock of healthy plants to make their bottom line.
They suggest watering plants before the temperature drops below freezing. Moist soil is warmer than dry.
“You can cover them with straw, mulch works, there’s some covers you can buy, some fabric covers, burlap, things like that to cover the plants and keep them safe,” said Strait.
When opting to cover plants, gardeners are urged not to use plastic. This can cause damage to the plant.
Planting before the threat of frost should be done thoughtfully.
“There are certain plants that are certainly not good for cold spells, tomatoes, peppers, you don’t want to plant when it’s going to be really, really cold,” she said. Other cold hardy crops are better suited for the frosty conditions.
“Make sure you do your research or talk to an expert,” said Strait.
Plants that have suffered frost damage are often resilient. Gardeners are advised to wait for the weather to warm up to see if new leaves sprout.
