In graduate school I had a "Graduate Assistantship" whereby I worked 20 hours a week in the International Student Services office and was paid minimum wage, however all of my tuition was waived. It was worth it! Not only did I take the required courses for an MBA, but I also took German, Vegetable Gardening, and a variety of other fun classes. Furthermore I worked for Handicapped Student Services taking notes for two students, one a quadriplegic junior and the other visually impaired freshman. So not only did I have my classes, but I sat in their classes taking notes. I love classes. I love to learn. It was a fun gig.
In Vegetable Gardening I learned that a tomato is biologically a fruit but legally a veggie. Who knew? I also learned that in middle Tennessee April 15 is the 50% mark for a hard freeze. Meaning you have a 50% chance of frost after this date. April 16 is a 40% chance of having a frost after this date. Just to be on the safe side, I would never plant my annual garden before May 1, and I have planted as late as June 1. But that is the annual garden. The perennial garden is another story.
Some years spring comes early to middle Tennessee. Last year on January 31 I painted en plein air at Andrew Jackson's Hermitage, and it was sunny and 70*. This year in February we enjoyed many days in the 70* range and one day hit 80*. However tonight, March 7, temperatures are predicted to dip into the 20*s, and we are expecting flurries. Many of my perennials are already showing tender shoots. And there is no guarantee, but in order to give them a fighting chance I'll cover most of them.
Soft woods, actively blooming plants, and potted plants are the most susceptible to frost damage. It's best just to bring the potted plants indoors. For those planted in the ground, it's best to use natural fabrics like cotton or linen or even newspaper as a covering to protect plants from frost. Do not use plastic bags or plastic tarp. Plastic can hold the moisture in that will freeze and ruin your budding plants.
Fabric coverings will allow moisture to escape but will still protect plants from frost by preventing the freezing air from coming into direct contact with the moisture. Bed sheets work well for covering large plants and shrubs.
I had to use a sheet on the cluster of Quince, tulips, and peonies.
Old tea towels or hand towels work well on small, young sprouts. Newspaper can be used on low-growing foliage, but won’t stay on top of larger plants well. In fact, if wind is in the forecast, newspaper doesn't work well at all. You have to put towels on top to keep them from blowing away. Just use the towels, and for extra protection against the wind, I put these little wire border fence sections around the plants and tuck the towels.
I use tea towels on the peony spouts.
I use old T-Shirts to cover the small lilac bush and the rose bush I cut back drastically last fall. If the threat of frost is prolonged and temperatures remain low during the day, I leave the fabric covering on for several days. Just be sure to cover your plants before sunset.
I didn't cover the daffodils because they are pretty hardy. I didn't cover the lilies, iris, azaleas or the plum trees because they are not blooming yet. I also didn't cover the mature roses, figs, or hydrangeas. They've weathered foul weather for years without regret. But I'll say a little prayer for them anyway, and give thanks there is no such thing as a Sou'easter.
Help me keep our New England friends close in thought and prayer this evening as they have more to worry about than a frost-damaged peony.
