Just when it seemed like summer was around the corner, another blast of unseasonably cold air has all of us wondering 'Is it really May?'
The cold air could cause damage to some of your new plants.
The National Weather Service has issued a frost advisory for early Tuesday morning for much of eastern Massachusetts, for areas away from the immediate coastline.
Mostly clear skies and relatively calm winds will allow temperatures to drop into the middle 30s overnight, causing widespread frost to develop in areas.
Areas of frost have the potential to damage crops and sensitive vegetation.
A frost advisory is issued when frost is expected to develop during the growing season. Potted plants normally left outdoors should be covered or brought inside, away from the cold.
Frost generally occurs with fair skies and light winds at temperatures at or below 36 degrees.
If you have cold sensitive plants, you will want to bring them inside if possible or cover them up.
Cold sensitive flowers include impatiens, petunias, or zinnias. Cold sensitive vegetables include tomatoes, squash, and cucumbers.
Don't worry about flowers such as sweet alyssum, pansy, and dusty millers that can take a light frost. Vegetables such as broccoli, peas, onions and lettuce can also take a light frost. You can cover these to be safe, but they are not a top priority of concern.
Cover plants and flowers with clear plastic, blankets, or newspapers. They all make a fine covering for protecting plants. Remember to remove the covering in the morning after temperatures warm up, so that the daytime sunshine does not bake the plants.