Gardening Tips During Freezing Temps

ST. PETERS, Mo. — Despite the arrival of spring, certain areas within the St. Louis metropolitan region are bracing for freezing temperatures. This may prompt considerations about safeguarding your garden.

It’s the busiest time for garden centers in our area and employees are all hearing the same question: what kind of plants work best in colder temperatures?

With overnight temperatures expected to be around freezing Monday night, people are worrying about those outdoor gardens.

Daniel Koening has been the owner of Daniel’s Farm and Greenhouses since 1990. He told Fox 2 that some plants will do well in temperatures below 40 degrees and some won’t.

“If you have pansies out, [the cold] won’t bother them,” Koenig said. “Snap dragons do real well in cold weather too.”

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Koenig also listed dusty miller and dianthus as other flowers that will be fine in colder temperatures.

On the other hand, plants like coleus, geranium and lobelia will not fare so well.

“That cold weather will kill them in a heartbeat,” Koenig told Fox 2 Thursday.

As far as vegetables, broccoli, cabbage, lettuce and onions will be fine. But tomatoes and peppers won’t be able to handle the cold.

While some plants thrive in colder conditions, others may struggle. If you intend to shield your outdoor plants from the chill, consider utilizing sheets, towels, blankets, or even cardboard for protection.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.