In this episode of Hort Culture, we dive into the challenges of late spring frosts and freezes. We talk about how to tell if a freeze has hit, why it’s important to cover vulnerable plants (and why plastic is not your friend), and the best materials to use for protection. We also share why it’s so important to wait before reacting to frost damage, giving plants time to show how they've been affected. You'll hear us describe signs like "melted" herbaceous plants, "bud blast" in peonies, and frost rings on apples. We get into how different plant stages—like swollen buds and early color—can mean different levels of vulnerability, especially for fruit trees. Outside of the garden, we also share some of our favorite non-plant springtime activities, from watching basketball tournaments to grilling and fishing. For more on frost protection, we point you back to Season 2, Episode 13 and resources from the Center for Crop Diversification.

How to Protect Plants from Frost and Freeze

Protect landscape plants, vegetable seedlings from frost

Protecting From Spring Freezes

Questions/Comments/Feedback/Suggestions for Topics: hortculturepodcast@l.uky.edu

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