It has been cold lately. We have had some record cold temperatures over the past few weeks. I am thinking that there are at least a few people who are thinking that spring cannot come soon enough. It is cold for us, for our pets, for our heating bills, but what about for our plants?
At this point regarding the temperatures, at the end of February, I wouldn’t worry too much about our plants. The vast majority of the plants planted in the area are rated for USDA zone 5 or colder. What that means is that plants can tolerate 20 degrees Fahrenheit below zero. We have come close, but we have not crossed that point. Even if the temperatures in your immediate area did make it down that low, there is vast snow cover that provides insulation to the base and roots of the plants.
There may be some minor damage to tender new grow from the last season because of the record cold temperatures. However, there shouldn’t be any fatal damage to the plant. Some of the plants that have damage to the tender shoots will just need go have the damage pruned off.
If you have a plant that is not rated at USDA zone 5 or below, which is very rare, then it may be a different story. However, not much can be done now. The record cold temperatures have come and gone. The best option will be to wait until spring when they start to grow again.
Hopefully this is the last of the record cold for the season. The promising thing is that March starts here shortly. Spring will be starting soon. And you shouldn’t be worrying about your plants through this recent record cold temperatures, they are ready for this cold weather.