In the News -
November 2007
Brrr! Cold weather comes to Arkansas
LITTLE ROCK - A freeze is on its way to Arkansas, a fact that shouldn't
surprise anyone, says Beth Phelps, horticulturist and Pulaski County staff chair
for the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.
A strong cold front was expected to arrive in Arkansas from the northwest
Monday. While very warm temperatures are expected ahead of the front (70s and
80s), much cooler air will follow, according to the National Weather Service.
The freeze will be most likely over northern and western sections of the
state by Wednesday morning. Temperatures in some areas may dip into the mid 20s.
Farther south and east, areas of frost may form as temperatures fall into the
30s, says the weather service.
Frost warnings were issued for Sebastian, Crawford and Franklin counties, but
other counties may also be involved. Meanwhile, the weather service out of
Memphis said a hard freeze and end to the growing season was expected north of
Jonesboro to Tennessee.
"It shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone at this time of year as we
transition into the winter," says Phelps. "People in the affected areas are
going to lose tender plants, including annuals and summer garden plants."
With a light frost, she says you can cover plants with a light sheet at
night, but be sure to remove it in the morning.
"Don't worry about landscape plants," she says. "If you have a camellia in
full bloom, cover it with a light sheet. That will protect the blossoms."
If you have almost-ripe tomatoes, cover them with a sheet or light blanket to
get them through the cold spell. It could be three or four weeks until another
frost, giving your tomatoes time to ripen.
"On the other hand, if you're tired of messing with the garden, the freeze
will solve your problems," Phelps says with a laugh.
When the begonias, salvias and other warm season plants die, plant cold
season plants, pansies, violas, ornamental mustards, flowering cabbage, kale,
dianthus and snapdragons to give your landscape color in through winter, Phelps
advises.
Don't worry about perennials and shrubs and trees.
For more information about horticultural matters, contact your county
extension agent or visit www.uaex.edu
and select Home and Garden. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U
of A Division of Agriculture.
November 6, 2007
Media Contact: Lamar James
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2187 or (501) 753-0207
ljames@uaex.edu
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