HOWARD, Wis (NBC 26) -- Across the much of northeast Wisconsin, a frost advisory has gone into effect for Thursday morning. The owner of Rose Hill Gardens in Howard says there are some things gardeners should be taking care of to prevent damage to their newly planted or purchased plants.
At Rose Hill Gardens in Howard business over the weekend was better than expected. Owner Leo Bordeeleau says many people have already purchased plants to brighten up their yards or homes during this safer at home order. But with a handful of freezing mornings likely headed our way in the days ahead, many might want to take some extra steps to keep their plants alive.
Bordeeleau says plants like Impatiens, Begonias and tender veggies like peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers should absolutely be covered with cotton fabric like a bedsheet over these cooler evenings that are headed our way. He adds that if your plant is still in its pot or planted in the ground, it's also a good idea to cover it with a five-gallon bucket to help protect the plant from frost.
Bordeeleau stresses that it is a task that could take just a few minutes, and in many cases could make all of the difference between damaged goods and a plant that could last all summer.
"If it's 32 degrees for an hour some of those plants could probably survive that. But if it's 32 or less for an extended period of time the damage becomes greater, depending on the length of time that we were in frost conditions."
As of Wednesday evening, NBC26 meteorologists are expecting freezing temperatures on Thursday morning that could reoccur on Friday and Saturday as well.
