Succulents, holiday poinsettias among most sensitive plants
Jade plants and other succulents are not frost-tolerant, so move them indoors or next to a building, or put them under a frost cloth. Kathy Morrison
Brrrrrr! Feel the chill?
It may not feel like it right now, but this has been a very warm year. For most of 2024, Sacramento has been spared from freezing temperatures with only a handful of frosty nights.
But this long weekend, our gardens are definitely getting a cold check.
According to the National Weather Service, Sacramento dipped down to a low of 32 degrees on Thanksgiving and was slow to warm up. The average temperature for all 24 hours on Thursday was only 45.5 degrees – 4.4 degrees below normal for that date. Although we eventually reached a high of 59 degrees, it felt chilly all day.
That 32-degree low was the coldest night in Sacramento in all of 2024. (Normal for late November: 43 degrees.)
And we’re not done; the weather service says to expect more patchy areas of frost and morning fog.
In Sacramento, overnight lows will be dipping to 35 degrees or lower on Friday and Saturday – cold enough to damage sensitive plants. They’re not used to the cold.
* Most at risk are those pretty (and tender) poinsettias. Temperatures below 40 degrees will burn the leaves and bracts of poinsettias, which are native to Mexico. They definitely won’t last until Christmas outdoors.
* These chilly nights also can speed the decay of decorative pumpkins. To avoid damage to poinsettias, pumpkins or other holiday decorations, bring them indoors.
* Also provide frost protection for tender new seedlings such as newly transplanted cabbage or lettuce. Slip a plastic milk jug over the whole plant; it becomes an instant mini greenhouse.
* Provide protection for succulents or any remaining pepper or tomato plants. They’ll definitely feel the chill.
* Bring container plants indoors or put them under cover. Use cloth sheets (not plastic) for temporary protection. Make sure to remove these sheets during the day so plants don’t overheat and smother.
* Except for succulents, water frost-tender plants in the late afternoon before a chilly night is predicted. That extra moisture raises the soil temperature just enough to avoid frost burn.
For more tips on freezing and frost: https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/GARDEN/ENVIRON/frostdamage.html.
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Garden Checklist for week of Dec. 8
Make the most of dry weather while we have it this week. Rain is returning.
* Rake leaves away from storm drains and gutters. Recycle those leaves as mulch or add to compost.
* It’s not too late to plant something. Seed wildflowers and plant such spring bloomers as sweet pea, sweet alyssum and bachelor buttons.
* Trees and shrubs can be planted now, especially bare-root varieties such as fruit trees or rose bushes. This gives them plenty of time for root development before spring growth. They also benefit from winter rains.
* Plant bare-root berries, kiwifruit, grapes, artichokes, horseradish and rhubarb.
* Set out cool-weather annuals such as pansies and snapdragons.
* Lettuce, cabbage and broccoli also can be planted now.
* Brighten the holidays with winter bloomers such as poinsettias, amaryllis, calendulas, Iceland poppies, pansies and primroses.
* Keep poinsettias in a sunny, warm location; bring them inside at night or if there’s rain.
* Plant garlic and onions.
* Prune non-flowering trees and shrubs while they’re dormant.
* Clean and sharpen garden tools before storing for the winter.
* Mulch, water and cover tender plants to protect them during threat of frost. Succulent plants are at particular risk if temperatures drop below freezing. Make sure to remove coverings during the day.
* Rake and remove dead leaves and stems from dormant perennials.
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