Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 13, 1992 TAG: 9203130293
SECTION: LAWN & GARDEN PAGE: L&G-20 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHARLES STEBBINS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
"Fruit trees are the ones we worry most about," said Jackie Brown, a Virginia Tech extension technician for Roanoke County and Salem.
A warm spell in winter can force plants to begin growth. If fruit trees begin forming buds, a late frost could kill them, she said.
"If we lose a few flower buds on a forsythia or azalea, it's no big deal," she said. "But if we lose a whole peach crop, it's more serious."
In the Roanoke Valley, peaches are a main concern because they are a major business. Apple orcharding also is a big business, but apples are not at the mercy of late frosts to the same extent as peaches. That's because apples trees produce buds later in the season, Brown said.
So far, this winter has not been the kind of winter to cause concern, Brown said. It has not been warm enough to force buds out, so there's little danger.
A late frost after a warm spell might damage some other plants without being fatal.
Some plants may get brown edges on tender new growth without damaging the whole plant.
But young seedlings that have been set out could be killed by a frost, she said. This includes seedlings of tomatoes, melons, squash or any other tender plants.
Those set out early - while frost is possible - should be covered on chilly nights. They can be covered with paper bags, buckets or almost anything to protect them from the open air.
by CNB