Gardeners-Don't Panic During Cold Weather

Released 03-16-00
by B. Rosie Lerner, Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist

The current weather pattern is nothing new to outdoor plants in Indiana; we often get a mid-winter warm spell followed by a return to normal freezing temperatures. Remember, our frost-free date in much of the state is not until early to mid-May.

However, the magnitude of the warm spell was a bit different this time around, with several high-temperature records broken around the region. The warm spell lasted a bit longer than usual, too, and was soon followed by temperatures well below freezing and then a heavy, wet snow in many areas.

Bulb plants such as hyacinth, daffodil, crocus and tulip that are already in bloom could be nipped by a freeze. But the plants themselves will survive and come back next year, even if the flowers don't make it this year. Flowers that experience a light frost should recover, while a hard freeze may finish the bloom.

Fruit and landscape plants that bloom early in spring are breaking bud, if not already in bloom. The further along the buds are in growth, the more susceptible they become to freeze damage when temperatures drop. If flower buds are frosted after they break dormancy, they usually are killed or damaged, reducing the potential for fruit crop.

Except for evergreens, plants that lose leaf buds will generally produce new ones. If buds are injured, but not killed, new leaves may be cupped, crinkled, twisted, curled, wilted or tattered. Though unsightly, this type of injury does no permanent damage to the plants.

There's not much a gardener can do to prevent this turn of events except let Mother Nature take her course. Mulching over the plants now might smother them and would only serve to warm the soil further, causing continued growth.

Snow actually provides some protection by insulating the plants and keeping them right around 32 F. But heavy, wet snow is more likely to break flowers off the plant. Gardeners could try covering the plants when freezing temperatures are predicted without benefit of snow. However, covering isn't practical if there are a large number of plants. And if a hard freeze occurs, covering plants may not provide enough protection. If you do cover plants, be sure to support the cover with stakes to keep the weight of the cover from breaking flowers and stems.

Last updated: 6 April 2006
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