As a frost looms over central Illinois this upcoming weekend, local residents are urged to take precautions to protect their plants from potential damage. Mark Dixon, co-owner of Sheridan Nursery located in Peoria, has offered valuable insights into safeguarding plants against frostbite.
Dixon advises that if feasible, bringing plants indoors is the most effective method of protection. However, if indoor shelter is not an option, he recommends utilizing protective covers such as cloth to shield plants from the impending frost.
Another strategy Dixon suggests is to sprinkle plants with water before sunrise. This preemptive measure can help counteract the formation of crystallized ice, which can be detrimental to plant health.
Particularly vulnerable are annual plants and recently planted perennials with tender, fresh growth. Dixon emphasizes the importance of covering these delicate plants to mitigate potential damage. Annuals such as sunflowers and marigolds, as well as perennials like tomatoes and daffodils, are examples of species susceptible to frost damage.
Dixon also offers a rule of thumb for determining the end of frost risks, pointing to Mother’s Day, which falls on May 12 this year, as a general cutoff date. This guideline can assist gardeners in planning and protecting their plants as the spring season progresses.