Protecting plants from frost and freeze

The old saying suggests to wait until after Mother’s Day to plant your flowers if you want to avoid a killing frost or freeze. On Delmarva, our climate makes it a safer bet to plant a bit earlier than that with the threat of a freeze less likely by mid April. However, the risk for frost is certainly possible well into early May if conditions are just right.

Frost is a sneaky event that can occur when the air temperature is several degrees ABOVE freezing. A clear sky and calm wind can allow the surface temperature to drop to freezing, even if the air a few feet above the ground is in the mid to upper 30s. The lack of a breeze is the critical variable here, as not only does this aid in the rapid surface cooling, it allows water vapor to become solid ice, forming on surfaces like cars, windows, and your plants!

Knowing the best way to protect your sensitive plants on a cold night can make all the difference in keeping them alive and vibrant into the warmer days ahead. Meteorologist Erich Ahlf shares some tips to help safeguard your plants: