12:15 PM | *A double whammy on tender and newly planted vegetation in the Mid-Atlantic/NE US…potential frost/freeze late tonight and an excessively dry air mass…some tips on protection* — Arcfield Weather

The combination of a potential late night frost/freeze and excessively dry conditions can be very stressful to tender and newly planted vegetation in the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast US. Some tips on protecting tender and newly planted vegetation are as follows:

1)     If you have the opportunity, water vulnerable vegetation this afternoon or early this evening when temperatures are still relatively warm. Keeping soil moist can actually help protect plants from the cold as moist soil has an insulating effect which radiates heat upward come nightfall.

2)     Add mulch to protect the plants’ root systems

3)     Cover vulnerable vegetation if possible with light blankets, bed sheets, towels, burlap or drop cloths (using plastic is somewhat risky)…remove any covering early the next morning after the frost/freeze threat has passed.

4)     Move potted plants indoors and move hanging baskets to porches or decks close to the house where its heat can be somewhat protective.