Cover Your Plants; Weather Service Issues Frost Advisory

TAMPA BAY, FL — The National Weather Service issued a frost advisory Wednesday at 2.01 p.m. that will remain in effect until Thursday at 8 a.m.

According to the NWS, temperatures as low as 33 degrees Wednesday night will result in the formation of frost in coastal Pasco, inland Hillsborough, inland Manatee, inland Sarasota, inland Charlotte and inland Lee counties.

Frost could kill sensitive outdoor vegetation if left uncovered.

According to the University of Florida Extension, covers that extend to the ground and do not touch plant foliage can lessen cold injury by trapping heat. However, be careful when using plastic as a cover because foliage that touches plastic coverings is often injured since the cover actually takes heat away from the plant.

Examples of coverings include cloth sheets, quilts, plastic or commercial frost cloths. Remove plastic covers during a sunny day or provide ventilation to keep the air under the cover from heating up too much.

Putting a light bulb under a cover is a simple method of providing heat to ornamental plants in the landscape.