New spring growth and upcoming cold snap?

[Anonymous]

I'm watching the weather for next week and seeing that it will go below freezing a couple of nights. Is there anything I should do to protect new growth on perennials just newly sprouted? I was thinking of lightly laying a tarp over them during the night, but wonder if that even matters. Any advice? Or, will they be ok for these few nights? I'm new to gardening - thanks for advice.

[Anonymous]

Established plants will manage. It's far to early to be putting in new plants anyway. I did direct sow some hardy varieties like carrots and beets, but they will be fine. It's a good time to put down grass seed.

[Anonymous]

thanks. Yes, these are perennials planted last fall. So established, but this is their first winter.

[Anonymous]

They’ll be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They’ll be fine.

thank you so much!

[Anonymous]

Agree they will be fine.

Just a note about tarping (when it actually is needed) -- if you are trying to protect emerged parts of a tender plant from frost, it is important that the cloth does not touch the plant, as the frost will just penetrate the cloth and burn the plant parts it touches. So unlike wrapping a non-hardy tree for winter, you would not just lay a tarp on them, the tarp would need supports to suspend it above the plant.

[Anonymous]

When wild you recommend planting flowers? Another week or two? Or wait until the end of April?

[Anonymous]

I plant anything tender around Mother’s Day.

[Anonymous]

I will lightly cover the flower buds on my peach tree, other than that? No. Remains to be seen how the figs bounce back. I have an apple tree that's never flowered and I'm hoping it was a chill issue. We'll see

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When wild you recommend planting flowers? Another week or two? Or wait until the end of April?

It depends on the flower.

My pansies, ranunculus, and primrose are in already because they are very early spring flowers. Summer annuals go in early May for me.

If growing from seed, follow the timing on the seed packet, some need to go in now, others need to wait until after average date of last frost.

[Anonymous]

My salvias from last year are popping up and have a little bit of growth, they will be fine. Perennials are hardy plants, no need for any coverage, remember these guys survived the snow and cold. Also, mine are in pots.