Fluctuating spring temperatures are part of living in the Southern Appalachian mountains. Dogwood Winter happens every spring. It is a cold snap that usually happens when the local Dogwoods have started to bloom, but after some of your tender plants have started to emerge. In addition to cold, there are frequently heavy frosts associated with Dogwood Winter. In the years before the National Weather Service, weather satellites, and supercomputers that forecast the weather, farmers had to rely on their ability to read nature in order to figure out when was best to start planting.
- In Weaverville NC, predictions currently say we’ll have low temperatures of 33°F early Friday morning, 31°F on Friday night/Sat. Morning, and 30°F on Sat. night/Sunday morning, with a possibility of snow, along with frost/freezing temps. As of this writing, a few snowflakes are drifting down from the sky.
- Most tender baby leaves won’t like this – your lettuce plants, hostas, hydrangeas, Japanese maples and more. Non-native plants in particular are more prone to damage. Protect your plants with sheets/light blankets and hope the cold won’t set them back.
- We have three weights of Floating Row Cover that can be used to protect your plants! Floating Row Cover is breathable, allows some light transmission, and with proper care lasts for many years. The thickest and heaviest weight we have in stock (Pro 34) will provide the most protection from the cold – between 4-6°F. The Floating Row Cover is located in the Garden Shop.
- We don’t recommend using plastic to cover plants as it can have a greenhouse effect with the potential of burning your plants. Plastic also doesn’t breath and can lead to plant diseases.
Keep an eye on the forecasts as they are liable to change and just a few degrees can make a BIG difference in the garden when they’re hovering around 32°F. Traditionally we have at least one more cold snap to look forward to, called Blackberry Winter, so keep those warm layers handy. Remember, as long as the ground isn’t frozen we can keep planting!