(Des Moines) The National Weather Service issued a Frost Advisory for all of Iowa.
According to the NWS, temperatures are forecast to dip to 32 to 36 degrees from 1:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.
Frost could harm sensitive outdoor vegetation, potentially killing it. Steps should be taken to protect tender plants from the cold.
When temperatures dip near freezing, water inside plant cells can form ice crystals. These rupture cell walls, leading to blackened, wilted, or mushy leaves by morning.
Annuals (like petunias or tomatoes), tropical plants, and newly planted seedlings are especially vulnerable. Perennials and native plants are usually more resilient but can still get damaged.
If you have fruit trees or flowering plants, frost can kill blossoms—meaning fewer or no fruits later in the season.
Leaves may turn brown, black, or translucent after exposure, even if the plant survives overall.
Even mild frost stress can stunt growth for a while, setting plants back days or weeks.
Cover plants with cloth, sheets, or frost blankets (avoid plastic touching leaves directly). Bring potted plants inside or into a garage. Water the soil lightly before sunset (moist soil holds heat better than dry soil). Use mulch around the base to protect roots.
