Tri-Cities, WA- — There is a Freeze Warning which comes into effect this evening, October 23rd.

But what does that mean for plants and crops???

While we typically prepare our homes and cars for the cold, our plants also need preventative care.

Plant experts tell us that delicate species like roses, chrysanthemums and butterfly bushes need to be mulched with compost or bark to keep them warm.

Taking care of your sprinklers and hoses is also very important, as burst pipes and spigots can cause hundreds of dollars in damage if left unattended.

“They get along quite well with their hardy trees, shrubs and perennials, this is normal autumn. If you haven’t brought your tropical plants yet, now is definitely the time to do so.” So it’s like your citrus, your houseplants. “You should definitely consider disconnecting the hoses from the faucets and blowing out the sprinklers,” said Alex Job, retail manager and co-owner of Job’s Nursery.

Job also mentioned that vegetable plants like tomatoes need to be covered or insulated to keep them alive a little longer.

“The other thing people often overlook is when we have a dry winter, water their evergreens, especially anything that is newly planted and not yet established,” Job said.

So cover these plants or mulch the mentioned sensitive plants about three inches deep so that you can enjoy them again and again.