In my experience living in Southeast Michigan, and through consultation with a professional landscape contractor, it is usually safe to uncover plants by mid-May. Which normally falls somewhere around Mother’s Day and my birthday. Lucky me!
Per tradition started more than thirty-five years ago with my Mom, this last weekend, Mother’s Day, was spent outdoors with my son, working in the yard. We did the following:
- Transplanted portions of my rose bush
- Planted Easter lilies
- Added dark brown mulch to the five flower beds
- Defined and edged flower bed lines
- Weeded
- Trimmed some trees
- Moved some landscape rocks and boulders
However, since it is spring in Pure Michigan, tonight they are calling for a frost advisory and suggesting we cover sensitive plants, but by the end of the week, it will be in the high seventies and low eighties!
According to the plant experts at Redwood Nursery, “Frost can strike suddenly, even when daytime temperatures are still comfortable. Keep an eye on local forecasts and watch for nights predicted to dip below 36°F. Cold air settles in low spots, so gardens in valleys or shaded areas are especially vulnerable.
Use Covers to Shield Plants
Lightweight fabric, frost blankets, or even old sheets make excellent plant protectors. Drape them loosely over plants in the evening before a frost, making sure the cover extends to the ground to trap warmth. Remove them in the morning once temperatures rise.
Pro Tip: For shrubs or larger perennials, use stakes to hold the cover off foliage and prevent breakage. Redwood carries frost protection fabric and garden staples to make setup easy.
Mulch to Hold Warmth
Adding a layer of mulch around the base of plants helps insulate roots and moderate soil temperature. Shredded leaves, straw, or bark mulch all work well. Espoma Organic Land & Sea or Coast of Maine’s natural mulches are excellent options available here at Redwood Nursery.
Timing is Everything
Not all plants need protection all the time. Annuals and tender vegetables (like peppers and tomatoes) are most at risk in early frosts, while hardy perennials and shrubs can usually withstand light freezes. Protect selectively, saving effort and supplies for the plants that need it most,”.
When to uncover plants after a freeze?
My Mom and I once lived in a townhome, and because we moved in February, sadly, we had to leave our heirloom plants behind. With the new owners’ permission, as a surprise that spring, I took my Mom there on Mother’s Day to dig up our garden full of plants, as by that time of year it was generally safe to uncover them. Also, the temperatures had risen above thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit.
Of course, since it was spring, it was pouring rain, and removing the rose bush gave us a heck of a time, as well as many scratches from the thorns. However, we got it done and transplanted them to our new place a few miles down the road.
When I got married, my Mom moved to North Carolina to help her sister, and we moved in the middle of winter. Once again, in the spring, I went to the new residents, told the story of the moving heirloom plants, and asked if we could remove our bountiful garden. They said yes, and the plants traveled once more with my new husband and I to our rental house!
Can you guess what happened next? My then-husband and I bought our house and moved. We didn’t move until the end of April, so our landlord said we could come back in a few weeks to get our plants. Shortly after I bought my home, my Mom moved back to Michigan. And guess what? We split up the plants and transplanted half of them to my Mom’s new place, twelve miles down the road.
About eight years later, sadly, my Mom passed away suddenly on December 10th in the middle of a humongous snowstorm. I can tell you that my faith in the good of people strengthened that following spring when I again went to the new residents, told them the story of the moving plants, and asked if we could take them back to my home.
My faith in humanity was restored because, you know what? They said yes.
Can hostas handle frost
Today, on this chilly spring day, the plants are safe from frost under a thick layer of mulch inside my many flower beds around my home’s property. Furthermore, most of my plants are very hardy, including varieties such as hostas and lilies.
In fact, the folks at Garden and Bloom say that, “Hostas are herbaceous perennial plants that are an extremely popular choice for the shade garden and are known for their beautiful foliage and versatility.
They are revered for their low-maintenance and hardiness, thriving in hardiness zones 3 through 9; they can survive temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit when planted in the ground, and require very little maintenance. Hostas go dormant in the winter and return in the spring to provide beautiful foliage to your garden all season long with flowers in late summer,”.
They went on to note that the following types can be susceptible if:
“Container Hostas: Hostas in containers are more exposed and, therefore, more vulnerable to windchill temperatures.
Late Planting: Hostas planted late in the fall have not had a chance for their roots to grow deep enough to be protected from colder temperatures.
Fluctuating Temperatures: Alternating freeze/thaw cycles can jeopardize a Hosta’s health by causing frost heaving. Frost heaving is a process where moisture in the soil expands and contracts, pushing the roots up and exposing them to the elements.
Late Frost Damage: If your region experiences a late frost in the spring after new leaves have emerged, your Hosta may suffer damage,”.
I am grateful that it is a frost advisory, not a freeze!
The Weather Channel Reports, “Issued By Detroit – MI, US, National Weather Service
…FROST ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 8 AM EDT TUESDAY…
WHAT…Temperatures as low as 32 will result in frost formation.
WHERE…Genesee, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, Oakland, Saginaw, Shiawassee, Washtenaw, and Wayne Counties.
WHEN…From midnight tonight to 8 AM EDT Tuesday.
IMPACTS…Frost could harm sensitive outdoor vegetation. Sensitive outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold,”.
Cover plants for frost
In conclusion, a little preparation goes a long way — cover your tender plants tonight, and by week’s end, you’ll be gardening in the warmth and sunshine!