Gardeners suggest bringing spring plants inside as cold snap arrives in New Jersey

Colder temperatures moving through New Jersey may have some panicking if they put spring plantings in the ground or in outdoor pots.

News 12 Staff

Apr 22, 2021, 12:02 AM

Updated 1,324 days ago

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Colder temperatures moving through New Jersey may have some panicking if they put spring plantings in the ground or in outdoor pots.
One of the biggest sellers last weekend at Lanza's Nursery was pansies. The flowers are hearty and should survive the cold snap. But as temperatures drop to below 30 degrees overnight, some plants may not be so lucky.
“Anything under 30, they would not do well,” says Chris DiFeo who runs the nursery.
Lanza's Nursery’s greenhouse will remain heated between 60 and 70 degrees to keep the spring annual inventory safe. But what about plants that are at home?
"Some of the earlier annuals like pansies and stuff can handle a frost so they should be fine outside,” DiFeo says.
Plants like geraniums or petunias can handle cooler temperatures. But DiFeo says that if possible, homeowners should find them some warmth because a hard frost could do some damage, killing some of the plants.
"A hard frost they'll probably look a little bit ugly. Get a little bit crispy and stuff,” DiFeo says. "So like a hanging basket if it was on your porch, pick it up and bring it inside which is convenient. Anything this else like a planter, bring it inside if it’s really cold."
Parts of New Jersey could see temperatures in the 20s by Thursday morning. Wind chills could make temperatures feel as if they are in the teens.