We got hit by frost last night.
Did you notice your plants had some unusual wilting and discolored leaves today? Much of Maine was hit by a frost last night and it resulted in scattered plant damage. What can you do to help your plants? First of all, the damage to trees, shrubs and perennials, is likely just cosmetic. What can you do to help your plants? If your perennials have frost damage, just give them a light pruning to cut off the affected tips. The growing season is just beginning and they should recover quickly.
Trees and shrubs are a little different. Their buds at the tips of the branches are probably still lively, so don’t rush to cut them back. The drooping leaves will fall off on their own, or you can trim just the leaves off leaving the branches intact. Leaving the damaged leaves on until the danger of frost passes, will protect the other leaves from frost damage. It takes energy and moisture for plants to recover and re-leaf. Water any dry plants weekly, that is the most helpful thing you can do.
Hold off fertilizing until mid-May and then apply a slow-release, organic fertilizer such as Pro-Gro or Espoma.
