Three easy steps to protect your perennial plants from frost this weekend

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The growing season hasn’t officially begun but with the warm weather we’ve been seeing this spring you may have noticed plants and flowers beginning to bloom! However, there is still the possibility of frost over the next month for CNY. Our next chance for frost will be this weekend!

How does frost form? Well, the favorable conditions for frost are clear skies, light winds, moisture in the air, temperatures in the 30s and moisture on the ground.

With observed temperatures in the mid 30s, taken with a thermometer about 5 feet off the ground, there are water molecules in the air. However, the grass and plants at ground level are colder than the observed air temperature because cold air sinks. As these water molecules touch the frozen surface, 32 degrees or colder, it freezes into ice crystals or frost.

How does frost damage plants? As the frost develops, the water molecules turn to ice crystals which expands as it forms bursting the cells of the plant and permanently damaging them.

How can you protect your plants? There are three easy steps to prepare for a frost. First, water your plants in the morning so that they can absorb more heat during the day. Next, apply a thick layer of dry mulch at night to keep the heat in the soil. Lastly, cover the plants with a bed sheet, bubble wrap, towel or cloche (glass container) to contain the heat around the most sensitive part of the plants and keep moisture from condensing and freezing on the plant.

On average, the last frost usually occurs as late as April 30th for Oswego, Fulton, Northwestern Onondaga County and areas near the shoreline of Lake Ontario. The final frost date for Syracuse and most of Onondaga County is as late as May 10th. The final frost date for the hills south by Cortland and valleys east by Rome and Utica is as late as May 20th. The higher elevations southeast by Hamilton, Norwich, and Cooperstown, plus the Tug Hill to the north usually has their final frost by May 30th. The highest parts of the Adirondacks usually have their final frost as late as the end of May.
For a look at the latest forecast for the potential for frost this weekend, CLICK HERE!