Kansas City Landscaping about to Freeze
Landscapes in Kansas City will soon be hitting the deep freeze. Well, maybe not the deep freeze. However even with temperatures reaching down into upper 20′s — it is important to have all the information necessary.
First of all this is not at all like the freeze of 2007 — although the dates are not that different. The difference lies in the weather of March. In 2007, Kansas City’s weather was unseasonably warm. Plants were a good 3 – 4 weeks ahead of normal development. Last year I already had Iris blooms poking up in my yard. This year, I barely have leaves coming through last falls leaves. Freezing temperatures this weekend will only be a slight problem for landscapers and homeowners in Kansas City.
Different plants will need different amounts of care this weekend.
Perennials
Most perennials will be fine as long as the temperature stays above 20 degrees. However, if you are the type of person who like to err on the side of caution then covering the plants with a bed sheet. If you use plastic then you must make sure to support the plastic off the leaves or blooms and leaves will still be damaged.
There is no practical way to protect a tree from the effects of the freezing air. All those pretty magnolias that bloomed this week will be turned to mush if the temperature gets below freezing. However, no permanent damage will be done. This is a common problem with most magnolia trees in our area. Sweetbay Magnolias are on tree that rarely has problems because of it late blooming.
If you have any shrubs that are blooming or who have tender new growth then they should be covered with a sheet to protect the new tender foliage. If you do nothing then you will likely see some dieback of the new foliage – but no lasting damage. If you have shrubs that almost ready to bloom, you may lose this year’s blooms if they are not protected.
Vegetables
If you got an early start on some of your vegetable you will need to protect them unless they are spinach or lettuce. Construct a sturdy frame over the rows and then lay a sheet over each row. Secure the sheet to the ground to prevent wind from moving or disturbing the sheet.
With a little extra care you will can make sure that this upcoming freeze will not delay the beauty of the your landscape.
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 | Published on April 11th, 2008 | Posted by Jeff Hamons |
April 13th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Do I need to put sheets over my hydrangeas? Very few have begun to leaf out, so they are weeks behind last year. I just don’t want to lose all my blooms for the new season like last year. Any advice would be mucho appreciated.
April 13th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
I would cover them up if they are important to you – no harm done. Do you know what type of Hydrangeas they are? If they are “old” Hydrangeas then they probably bloom on last years wood – so covering them would be more important. If they are newer they might be one of the more modern varieties that bloom on old and new wood. However, if it get down in the 20′s tonight — those could be effected as well.
April 13th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
I planted grass seed last weekend and covered with a light layer of peat, but it hasn’t come up yet. How will the freeze effect it?
April 13th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
I am wondering about my peonies with this freeze. They are about 12 to 15″ tall. Will the freeze damage them?
April 13th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
John,
Your grass seed will be safe. Actually, the freezing and thawing will help the natural germination process. Some of the new grass that has already come up — mostly rye — could have a problem if the freeze and thaw push the tender seedlings out of the ground. However, your future lawn will be just fine.
Mary,
Peonies are quite frost hardy and I imagine they would be just fine without covering them at all.