Do you know how to protect your plants from a freeze?
/ Jessica Cain
POMPEY -- Temperatures dipping into the teens could create a challenge for farmers who are already dealing with a season of difficult weather.
At Pheasant Ridge Vineyards in Pompey, owner Kent Wells says this is one of the craziest winters he has seen.
Wells has been regularly checking his plants to see how the weather has been affecting them. He says last week's high temperatures confused some of the plants, and he's already seeing signs of moisture on the plants. He hopes the plants will be able to survive tonight's freezing temperatures.
"In the 15 years I've been here, I've never seen this before," says Wells. "I don't know what's going to happen."
Wells says for the rest of the season, he'd like to see temperatures in the 40s during the day and below freezing at night.
He's not the only one with crops that are struggling.
Carol Watson at Watson Greenhouse in Lafayette says people have been asking her for advice about how to save their plants.
"Last year, we had a lot of snow, which is good for plants," says Watson. "This year, no snow, up and down temperatures. That's very bad for plants."
Watson says she's planning to bring as many plants as possible inside tonight. She says if people have plants that can't be brought inside, the plants should be covered. However, she says don't use plastic covering because plastic traps the cold. Sheets, blankets, or reemay fabric can be used.
She also says if the leaves on your plants turn brown, don't give up on them. With water and fertilizer, you may be able to nurse them back to health. If the cold weather continues, you can still start planting strong flowers like pansies. You may just want to put them outside during the day and bring them inside at night.
"We have to use our best judgment and help them along," says Watson. "They're depending on us."
Have you been having trouble with your plants? Do you have any tricks you use to protect them? Post your comments below.
