Muscatine Journal, IA
04-25-06
Cover those tulips: Frost likely tonight; some plants at risk
By Peter Rugg of the Muscatine Journal
MUSCATINE, Iowa - With a possible frost on tonight’s forecast, local gardeners
might need to protect some plants.
Officials at the National Weather Service said tonight’s forecast calls for a low in
the mid-30s with a high possibility of frost over much of the Quad-City area,
including Muscatine. That’s a dramatic change from Monday’s balmy day of
highs in the 70s.
During a frost, ice forms on the surface of plants. While the ice can damage a
plant’s internal tissue, damage also occurs when the sun rises and melts the ice,
harming the leaves.
While many plants won’t be hurt by a frost, others are more sensitive, said
Richard Jauron an extension horticulturalist at Iowa State University.
“There are some plants that are frost sensitive: tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and
melons,” Jauron said. “And annual flowers like impatiens or marigolds.”
Jauron suggested covering such plants with a sheet or a light blanket overnight.
A cardboard box will also work to protect tomato and pepper plants.
Frost-tolerant plants include perennials that have already started to grow,
cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and lettuce.