Frost Alert in Amarillo: Take These Essential Steps to Save Your Plants
This is something we've been waiting on in the Texas panhandle. After seeing above-average temperatures for this time of year, and multiple attempts by Mother Nature to break records for high temperatures, we are finally being told the cold weather we've been expecting could be here. Tonight, if you have plants that need a little extra TLC during the cold, you need to take care of them. Frost is in the forecast.
Protect Your Plants Tonight In The Texas Panhandle
I'm a relatively new "plant parent". This is the first time in my life I've gone and picked out plants to put in my yard. That means this is the first year I've been obsessively tracking the weather to see when I need to bring my plants in to protect them from the cold. Tonight, we've finally got frost in the forecast.
According to the National Weather Service Amarillo, tonight temperatures in the Texas panhandle could get low enough to give us some frost overnight. For sensitive outdoor plants, this could be potentially lethal.
How To Protect Your Plants From Frost In The Texas Panhandle
Nothing is worse than spending all the time loving and caring for your plants, and then watching the weather destroy all of your hard work. Frost can wreak havoc on your outdoor plants if you don't take steps to protect them. The easiest, and best, ways to protect your precious outdoor plants are:
- Bring your plants indoors - If you have potted plants, this is the easiest way to protect them from the cold. Bring them inside where it's warm, and you won't have the heartache of leaving them out in the frost.
- Cover your plants - If you can't bring them inside, you can always cover your plants to protect them from frost. Sheets and beach towels make for great covers. You can also use cardboard boxes or buckets.
- Water your plants - A day or two before the frost hits, water your plants. It sounds counter-intuitive, but water can hold heat and it can actually help protect your plants. Since the frost is forecasted to hit tonight, it's a little late for this one. Keep it in mind for later.
One thing to remember when it comes to covering your plants; don't use plastic tarps. Sources all over the internet say that using a plastic tarp can actually allow the cold air to still get to your plants. They'll wind up doing more harm than good.
Now I've got to find a spot for my hibiscus.
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