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Gardner’s Beware ,The Nation Weather Service Warns of Late Frost Tonight

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the National Weather Service has issued a FREEZE WATCH . The FREEZE WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH MONDAY MORNING.

Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 30 possible. Portions of northeast New Jersey, southern Connecticut and southeast New York to be affected . From late tonight through Monday morning.

Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.

If you have seeds in the ground when a surprise frost is headed your way, they should be fine. The ground stores and holds onto heat effectively. However, if you have seedlings, they could suffer frost damage if you don’t protect them.  For anything that has already germinated, sprouted, or bloomed, provide some protection. A simple way to do this is to stake a couple layers of plastic or garden fabric over the rows of plants. It’s important to use stakes so the cover doesn’t blow away in the wind. You can also use covers on fruit trees that have already bloomed.  Another option is to cover the plants with any kind of mulch you have on hand. This could be landscaping mulch or straw or leaves. If you’re crafty, you can build a mini greenhouse out of PVC piping and plastic row cover to protect and warm seedlings.

Read more at Gardening Know How: Frost Damage On Plants: Early Blooming Flowers And Freezing Temperatures https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/frost-damage-early-plants.htm

Shrubs and trees know how to deal with a late frost. If the first growth is ruined by frost, they can leaf out again. Established perennials can also send out new shoots if necessary.  Your little garden seedlings are much more vulnerable to irreparable cold damage. You will need to re-sow and grow new seedlings if the leaves get damaged. If you sowed seeds that don’t emerge a couple weeks after a late frost, assume they didn’t survive.

Read more at Gardening Know How: Frost Damage On Plants: Early Blooming Flowers And Freezing Temperatures https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/frost-damage-early-plants.htm

 

 

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