A: Some eager growth with this warm spell is certainly a possibility, and it could be harmed by another freeze because, after all, winter isn’t over. The good news is, only the new growth would be damaged. Affected tips can easily be pruned off. A late freeze won’t kill an entire plant unless it’s an extended freeze.

As in years past, we could get fewer fruits if the cherry, apple and peach trees lose their flowers because of cold. Buds are already set on the trees- it’s just a matter of environmental cues as to when they open.

Unfortunately, there’s not much that can be done to prevent damage that may come with temperature swings. Continue protecting and covering plants if lows get at or below freezing. And hold off on planting annuals or vegetables until after the last chance of frost has passed, usually after April 15th for metro Atlanta. UGA’s Weather Network website features data like the ‘average last frost date’ for cities around Georgia.

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