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Cold weather comes to Arkansas
Arkansas 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 Nov. 5. 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 early Nov. 7. 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 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. Date: 11/8/07
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