I'm in Massachusetts and the temperature is going to drop to the '40s at night this week. I've recently planted snapdragons, geraniums, begonias, and wave petunias, and I also have some containers with replanted Cana bulbs that have sprouted, plus a few dahlias. Am I going to lose my plants if it stays this cold?
3 Answers
If you're in a similar situation to me, I'd suggest covering your plants with sheets or tarps just to be safe. The cold combined with any harsh winds could stress them, especially if they’re newly planted.
I've been bringing my more delicate plants inside whenever I can. For the things I can't bring in, I've been using old blankets and towels to cover them. If you have room, I'd definitely recommend moving your more vulnerable containers indoors or at least putting them in a garage until the temps rise again.
40°F isn't too chilly for most container plants. You might see some droopiness, but generally, they should bounce back without a big issue.