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Don't forget your Mom--today is Mother's Day and we are open to 5 with all kinds of plants, flowers, gifts and gift certificates for your Mom!
Cold ALERT
There is much potential for frost in Skillin's Country especially away from the coast and to the north of the Portland area for the next couple of nights. Any low lying areas could also see frost as temperatures in the valleys even along the coast can be many degrees colder than a ridge or higher spot just yards away. In most cases, it is still too early to have planted many plants that can be harmed by frost but nevertheless you should be aware that the early morning hours could bring some hurtful frost particles to some of your plants.
Folks, we have had some gorgeous weather and temperatures that have energized us all! Consequently, some materials that are at risk have been planted or placed outside already. We all know who we are and that tomatoes, peppers, cukes, petunias, marigolds, impatiens and other tender annuals and vegetables are at risk here.
Pansies, snapdragons, cold weather vegetables like lettuces, greeens, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbages and cauliflowers should be just fine over the next couple of nights (unless they have just come out from inside a greenhouse or your home--see what we have to say about high winds below).
If temperatures drop lower than the "mid 30's" and we have clear overnight skies with little wind, then frost can easily occur. Keep an eye on those night time temperatures!
Tender material planted in the ground (such as annual plantings and most vegetable plants) is really the plant material that is at risk. We have not been recommending the planting of annuals and most vegetables yet. In most cases we do not consider pansies or most perennials at risk. Bulb plants like daffodils, tulips and hyacinth will be fine and are not at risk. Shrubs and trees are not at risk either.
If you suspect frost damageis likely to occur on a particular night, try to cover the "at risk" material with a bed sheet. If you have no bed sheets to spare, then we carry some awesome thin but protective frost cover blankets here for you. Or give this material a shower of water at dusk and then if frost has occurred give the material another shower to melt off the burning frost just before sunrise occurs. The early morning sun can touch those frost particles and cause the particles to in essence "burn" the plant material.
Hanging plants or containers? Bring them in or move them very close to the houses. Not only is the cold a concern but these gusty winds over the next couple of days can also burn foliage--especially plants that you just bought out of greenhouses within the last few days. Gusty warm AND cold winds are not unusual in early to mid May--and either can burn baby plants. Check your containers and newly planted plants for watering during this windy weather too as the soil can be quickly dried out by the wind.
Let us know if you have any questions about frost damage, cold temperatures or high winds!
Our store locations and contact information are as follows:
Skillin's Greenhouses, Brunswick, 422 Bath Road, Brunswick ME 04011 442-8111, 800-339-8111
Skillin's Greenhouses, Cumberland, 201 Gray Road, Cumberland ME 04021 829-5619, 800-348-8498
Skillin's Greenhouses, Falmouth, 89 Foreside Road, Falmouth ME 04105 781-3860, 800-244-3860
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