Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteers
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Were your outdoor plants affected by recent cold temperatures?
The real problem for most plants was not the cold itself, but the extreme and rapid drop in temperature. When this happens, plants -- especially broadleaf evergreens -- don't have time to react. Normally, they would draw more water down into their roots, increase the concentration of sugars in their leaves, or both. This helps to keep ice crystals from forming inside of plant cells. In a flash freeze, the plants don't have time to react and the water inside the cells of the plants freezes. The key, now, is patience. Do not prune. Wait. You can more effectively assess your plants -- and any damage -- in the spring. |
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