Determining Cold Damage
Frost damage can occur when temperatures dip to or below the freezing point, 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius).
Frosts occur when the temperature dips to 0 degrees celsius. Unless your garden is filled with tropical plants, most plants can handle a light frost with little damage. When the temperature drops below 0 degrees, your plants are at risk to freeze which can cause significant injury to your beloved plants.
Contrary to what you might think, winter-stunned plants need to be left alone until the spring weather arrives. Pruning too early may actually kill your plant, just because a branch has dead leaves doesn’t necessarily mean the branch itself is dead. As the warm weather arrives, check to see where new growth is appearing. You can cut away the dead growth up to the first leaf bud that you see.
In the end prevention is the best course of action and can be accomplished by covering your plants. You can use a thick layer of mulch or a frost cover blanket. Frost barriers may be useful, placed over trees, shrubs and sensitive plants to prevent heavy wet snow from sitting on the branches.
If you have questions about keeping your plants safe over the winter months, give us a call and we would be happy to work with you and keep your lawn and gardening looking its best.
