Home Gardening

Cold Temperature Plant Care
Garden Tips Newsletter - January 2, 2002

The New Year has arrived with a bang or actually with a blast of cold air. While some previous tip topics have covered cold protection, it seems with this latest taste of winter a few reminders couldn't hurt.

Mulch, mulch, mulch - especially if you haven't done so already! Mulching will help protect the roots of your plants from the cold temperatures. We often think that the ground will protect the roots of the plant because they are not exposed to the cold temperatures - this is not necessarily the case. When we have long periods of cold temperatures the ground can freeze and thaw causing root damage and ultimately damaging the entire plant. Mulch can help insulate the soil and regulate the soil temperature.

You should also protect any container plants you may have outside - these plants are more susceptible to cold temperature damage because the roots are more exposed to the cold. The best way to protect container plants is to move them inside to a garage, storage shed, or your house.

Remember to water your plants. Many plants are damaged during cold periods because they dry out. Even though it's cold, your plants still need water.

These archived newsletters were written by Dr. Lelia Scott Kelly. Kelly is a Horticulture Specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. Her office is in the North Mississippi Research & Extension Center, Verona.