Winter’s “Curtain Call” Will Bring No Applause From Gardeners

Forecast For Tonight: Potential Damage

LISLE, IL (May 17, 2007) – We’re not exactly expecting Frosty the Snowman tonight, but weather forecasters expect inland temperatures dipping into the 30s – and it remains to be seen if we get patchy light frost. If you throw another blanket on your bed tonight, you might want to do the same for some of your plants.

"Annual flowers or vegetables that gardeners just planted are susceptible to damage when temperatures get this cold," says Doris Taylor, who manages The Morton Arboretum Plant Clinic, which diagnoses problems and recommends solutions for the public at no charge.

The so-called "frost date" of May 15 – when Chicagoland typically starts seeing temperatures that remain above freezing until the fall – is usually reliable. However, we can get one or two days after the frost date when the biting cold returns, Taylor says.

The Arboretum recommends that property owners cover plants at risk with a sheet, blanket, or even newspaper, making sure to secure the material so that it does not blow away.  It’s important not to use any heavy material or tarp, whose weight could damage the plant. The next morning, remove the covering so that the plants can receive sunlight, and to prevent diseases.

Property owners who choose to use Styrofoam covers on their plants should make sure the covers contain holes that would permit air to circulate through.

Tree and shrubs should be just fine in spite of tonight’s chilly weather, although there could be some wilting on leaf edges, especially on new leaves that are not yet hardened.

The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized 1,700-acre outdoor museum with collections of 4,057 kinds of trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world. The Arboretum's beautiful natural landscapes, gardens, research and education programs, and year-round family activities support its mission – the planting and conservation of trees and other plants for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. Conveniently located at I-88 and Rte. 53 in Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or sunset, whichever is earlier, Central Time. The Children's Garden is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CDT) and 9:30 to 4 p.m. (CST). Visit www.mortonarb.org or call 630-968-0074 to learn more.

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