Protect the plants, frost advisory tonight into Tuesday

It's going to get cold tonight! There, you've been warned ...

Actually, for the past 2-3 weeks people have been asking me, "Can I start planting?" After all, we are 2-3 weeks ahead on the growing season because of all the warm weather we've had.

Even so, my answer, this time of year, is always "No", because of nights like Monday night.

According to the NC State Cooperative Extensions, our average day of last frost in the Raleigh-Durham area is April 11th. For Fayetteville, it's April 2nd. If you'd like to look up other locations, you can click here.

We're just not done with the cold swings yet. But what if you just couldn't wait? Or you have plants that you are worried about? Well, think cotton.

Not the plant, but the sheets for your bed. If you use them to cover tender vegetation, it will help to protect the plants.

And don't use plastic sheets or plastic tarps, they can actually kill the plants underneath them.

And if you haven't planted yet, good job! If you can wait until Mother's Day, even better. The last record low of 32 degrees or colder is actually not until May 10. In 1977 we went to 31 degrees! Brrrr.

Check out Don's posts in the ABC11 weather blog

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