{"id":16625,"date":"2022-10-21T01:58:43","date_gmt":"2022-10-21T01:58:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecofamilylife.com\/?p=16625"},"modified":"2023-08-23T02:50:50","modified_gmt":"2023-08-23T02:50:50","slug":"can-petunias-survive-frost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecofamilylife.com\/garden\/can-petunias-survive-frost\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Petunias Survive Frost? | 5 Ways to Protect Them"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Petunias are colorful and gorgeous plants that everyone loves, but they do not do well when there\u2019s frost outside. Petunias don\u2019t usually survive heavy frosts but may survive a light frost if they are healthy. There are things you can do to protect them and increase their chance of survival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article will explore how to protect petunias from frost at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>How to Protect Petunias from Frost<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are numerous ways to protect your petunias from frost, and they include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>1. Use Mulch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A light layer of mulch can protect your petunias because it insulates the soil and keeps the plants<\/a> much warmer. Try mulch made of straw, leaves, or hay for good results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>2. Water Properly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Always make sure your petunias are well-watered before the first frost. This will help to protect the plant cells during the frost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>3. Grow Them in Pots<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you grow petunias in pots instead of the ground, you can simply bring them indoors when you know temperatures will dip below a certain level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>4. Cover the Plants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nurseries have several types of covers for plants, some of which are plastic and others made out of fabric. It\u2019s a good idea to own one of these so you can cover the petunias when a frost is expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>5. Choose Varieties That Are More Frost-Resistant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some varieties of petunias are more resistant to frost than others, so choosing them is smart. These include varieties such as Tidal Wave Silver and Supertunia Vista Bubblegum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>When to Protect Petunias From Frost<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Protecting petunias from frost begins before you even purchase them. Choosing the right variety for your growing zone and planting them in pots are great first steps. Petunias do best when grown in zones 3-11, so if you\u2019re outside of these zones they may not work well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember that petunias have paper-thin petals that make it difficult to survive frost, and as soon as you learn there\u2019s going to be frost in your area, you should start making plans regarding what to do so they can be better protected in the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Will Petunias Come Back After a Frost?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, petunias will come back after a frost, provided you take good care of them. Once frosts have passed, trim off any damaged leaves and system and water them well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure they are getting at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. If the plant has developed yellow leaves, feed them with a nitrogen based, liquid fertilizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>Will a Covered Porch Protect Petunias from Frost?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Petunias are generally protected from frost when housed on your porch, especially if there are no strong winds. Make sure they are placed at least 3 feet from the edge of the porch, or against a wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your porch is small, consider bringing petunias indoors to protect them from frosts. Once the weather has warmed and frosts have passed you can move them back outdoors to get more sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Best Time to Plant Petunias<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Early spring is the best time to plant your petunias, but you\u2019ll need to wait until after the very last frost to plant them. You\u2019ll also want to make sure the flowers are planted only in soil that is a minimum of 60 degrees Fahrenheit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you start your petunias from seeds, plant them inside roughly 10 weeks before the last spring frost is expected to occur. Remember that the threat of another frost has to be completely gone before you plant your petunias, and the warmer the soil, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>3 Tips to Care for Petunias in Winter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are several things you can do to take care of petunias during the winter. They include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>1. Avoid pruning and heavy watering<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Petunias need light until they become dormant. When they\u2019re dormant, never prune or fertilize them until spring arrives. Reduce the amount of water you give them each week until the leaves start to fall off the plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When that happens, stop watering altogether and keep them in a cool place until mid-February. At that time, place them in sunlight again and start watering them slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>2. Bring Them Indoors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ideally, petunias will be indoors for the winter months. They\u2019ll be easier to take care of when it\u2019s cold, and you\u2019ll never have to worry about what to do when a frost is expected. If you can\u2019t bring them indoors, the next best thing is to cover them with some type of cover made specifically for plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>3. Propagate Cuttings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If your petunias are growing in the ground, and before the first frost occurs, cut the stems down to 3-4 inches below the central flower bud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remove all flowers or buds from your cuttings, then remove all leaves from the lower halves of the stems. Plant the cutting in potting soil, water it, then place it in sunlight or an artificial light of some type.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep in mind that you should do none of these things with plants that are patent protected. These are also good tips to help petunias bloom longer in the winter time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Lowest Temperature Petunias Can Tolerate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Petunias can only tolerate temperatures down to around 39 degrees Fahrenheit, which is well above freezing. They do best in daytime temperatures of 61-75 degrees and in nighttime temperatures of 57-65 degrees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some easy tips for growing better petunia plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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