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Cold temps may threaten gardens along Wasatch

Posted at 10:08 PM, Apr 27, 2012
and last updated 2012-04-28 00:36:46-04

Tonight's cold snap could destroy flowers and vegetables if they are not shielded.

Temperatures are expected to drop to the low 30’s Friday night and it is advised that garden growers cover it up.

Experienced gardeners say the most susceptible vegetable are of the “soft” variety.

“You're most susceptible things right now are any flowers, also any of your tender vegetable plants, your tomatoes, peppers, zucchinis, cucumbers, melons,” says J & J Nursery greenhouse manager Andy Stevenson.

However, hardy vegetables like onions will likely be fine.

“You're broccoli, cabbages, brussel sprouts, cauliflowers, things like that you're probably going to be okay because they've been hardened off already and they've been through some nights of cold,” says Stevenson.

Stevenson advises bringing anything that can be moved inside.

And for the plants in the ground, cover it up with a tarp or a blanket.

Despite the weather, people were still buying plants Friday afternoon. Most were unaware about the temperature drop headed our way.

"Cold snap, what cold snap?" jokes one resident buying vegetable plants. "Hopefully not, because I'm going to plant them tomorrow."

FOX 13’s meteorologist Brett Benson has determined the coldest temperatures to hit at 5 a.m. Saturday morning. After that, the day should warm up. He says plants should be uncovered at that time or they could risk dying from the daytime heat.