DAVENPORT, Iowa — Mother Nature does it to us every year. We're moving towards the darkest 16 weeks of the year, stretching from November to February, and temperatures are dropping overnight. When they fall below freezing point (32 degrees Fahrenheit), you can see them covered in a layer of ice.
Rural communities may experience a light freeze — known as frost — on Monday night. However, a widespread freeze is expected to hit the area Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. During times like these, we turn to Craig Hignight, our plants and garden expert with 45 years in the business.
"If you have blooming plants, you have to worry about giving them some protection so you can get a few more weeks out of them," explained Hignight. "Get out the old blankets, the sheets. Give them a coverup for a couple of nights."
As unbelievable as it may sound, water is actually the key to managing frost and freeze. Hignight recommends plant owners continue watering their outdoor babies to prevent plants from freeze damage.
"You want those plants fully hydrated when the ground finally freezes, which is usually out around Christmas time," Hignight shared. "A little diligence in watering now is going to pay big dividends next spring."
The frost and freeze we see this week isn't expected to last long afterward.