Co-op: They'll be OK
Cold weather returning, now what for plants?
By J.D. Walker
Staff Writer, The Courier-Tribune
ASHEBORO - After the long spell of warm weather, brrrrrrr!, here comes
the cold.
You can bundle up, but what about your plants?
Whether it's tulips peeking up out of the ground or buds swelling on
the rose bush, experts at the N.C. Cooperative Extension Office say there
is little to worry about. Plants acclimated to North Carolina can survive
the swing in temperatures without damage.
The best homeowners can do is make sure their plants are well mulched.
A thick layer (3-6 inches) of bark or pine needles will insulate plants
against the cold.
The same applies to established fruit trees. New trees, installed for
less than an year, might benefit from a tree wrap to protect the trunk from
the freezing and thawing.
Some shrubs are right on schedule in their blooming cycle. Winter jasmine,
camellia and winter honeysuckle all bloom from January to March. Blossoms
that are open during a sudden cold snap tend to get burned in the cold.
However, there are plenty of other buds that will open up as soon as the
weather warms back up.
Other shrubs are rushing the season. All around the county, homeowners
have reported seeing forsythia, deutzia and azaleas in sporadic bloom.
For the bulk of flowering ornaments, this is not a problem. The only
difference homeowners are likely to notice (if any) is a slight reduction
of overall flower display later in the spring.
Bulbs that break ground early - be they tulips, daffodils, hyacinths
or crocus - are perfectly happy to stop growing and wait for the next warm
spell. Other than a comfortable layer of mulch, these plants don't require
any extra protection.
Pansies, a bi-ennial winter favorite, have truly been enjoying the past
several weeks. It is often disturbing to see the plants after a cold snap.
The flowers are frequently wilted and the foliage has collapsed to the ground.
Not to worry. Pansies (both the tiny tri-colors and traditional "face"
pansies) are real troopers. Given time, the plant will spring back to life,
ready to bloom again with the next string of sunny days.
If you just can't stand the thought of doing nothing for your favorite
plants and don't feel mulch is enough protection, there are some dos and
don'ts.
Small plants can be covered by an up-ended plastic or clay pot. Old plastic
pots are perfect for a day or two because the drain holes act to let the
plant breathe. Just don't leave the pot over the plant for extended periods.
It needs sunlight.
Larger plants like gardenias or rhododendrons can be carefully bundled
up in burlap or other breath-able cloth and secured with twine. Such covering
can be left in place for several weeks until more consistent temperatures
arrive in the spring.
If your Christmas tree is still around, prune the branches away from
the trunk and carefully layer these over low growing plants. Surprisingly,
even the open weave of evergreen foliage can be sufficient insulation against
the cold.
Don't lay plastic sheeting over plants. Don't use plastic sheeting to
bundle up shrubs. Even when air temperatures hover below 40 degrees, bright
sunlight shining down on the plastic can heat up the material underneath
and literally bake your plants.
Copyright 2002, Stephens Media Group
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