Frost on its Way for Otsego County, New York

According to the Farmer's Almanac, the first frost will happen less than a month from now in Otsego County. Be prepared and don't kill your plants.

The almanac says:

"A frost date is the average date of the last light freeze in spring or the first light freeze in fall.

The classification of freeze temperatures is based on their effect on plants:

• Light freeze: 29° to 32°F (-1.7° to 0°C)—tender plants are killed.
• Moderate freeze: 25° to 28°F (-3.9° to -2.2°C)—widely destructive to most vegetation.
• Severe freeze: 24°F (-4.4°C) and colder—heavy damage to most garden plants.

Note that frost dates are only an estimate based on historical climate data and are not set in stone. The probability of a frost occurring after the spring frost date or before the fall frost date is 30%, which means  there is still a chance of frost occurring before or after the given dates!"

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What To Do With Plants During a Frost Advisory?

A frost advisory comes around when we're looking at temperatures of 36 degrees to 32 degrees Fahrenheit. While it's not just the cold temps that wreak havoc on plants, it's also good to consider the length of time that plants will be exposed.

When making plans pre-frost, be sure to prioritize your plants. Vegetables that are considered hardy will be just fine as well as those pretty new mums you just picked up, leave them where they are. Ornamental plants in pots, herbs, legally grown cannabis, tropical plants, and flowering plants should probably come inside. I have an amazing pitcher plant that's been gorging itself on hover flies all season that will need to come in out of the cold as it's used to warm, wet places.

My Plants Are Planted!

If your plants can't come in or are planted in the ground, there are ways to protect them. Water them! When you moisten soil, it behaves as an insulator, and will defend against the cold. Plants can also be covered. Use anything from commercially sold covers to old sheets, tarps, burlap - whatever you have on hand.

Goodbye summer, your stay is always too short!