This drastic change in weather may cause green tissue damage to plants such as perennials, tulips and daffodils according to local horticulture expert Pam Bennett.
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“Understanding plant damage from cold temperatures is really kind of a challenge because there are a lot of variables that go into it,” said Bennett, who Ohio State University Extension Clark County director. “One of the most important things for people to really think about is temperature fluctuation.”
The bout of warm weather is expected to move plant growth forward and a gradual temperature decline has little to no negative effects on these blooming plants, she said, but drastic changes in temperatures can cause problems.
“The damage occurs primarily when you get really nice weather for several days at a time, temperatures are warm, plant material is growing, and then you get that sudden drop,” Bennett said. “A drop of 10, 15, 20 degrees, anything that is sudden, is when you are going to get plant damage.”
However damage caused by these temperature fluctuations usually isn’t severe and poses little threat to the average homeowner, according to Bennett.
Most plants can handle cold temperatures and Bennett recommends that homeowners shouldn’t worry about their plants dying during these situations, especially this early in the y ear.
“When we get into April and May and you get flowers on these plants and frost is predicted, then that’s when you want to cut off all the flowers,” said Bennett. “Bring them in and make a nice bouquet because the flowers aren’t tolerant in frost.”
Temperature fluctuations are common in Ohio, Vrydaghs said, and long range models indicate temperatures should stay near or above normal into early March.
“The question is whether or not winter is over,” she said. “It’s still too soon to say, but one to keep an eye on over the coming weeks.”
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