What an odd weather forecast for the end of December and the start of January.  Temperatures have been well above normal with 70 plus degree highs this week and mid 70’s projected into the weekend before reality returns the first of the week with high temperatures on Monday staying in the 40’s but what can this unseasonable warm spell do to plants that have been dormant for winter?  Wayne Rowland with the Vance Co. Extension Service discussed that on the Home and Garden Show today (Wednesday) as part of the Local Skinny!  Rowland said that the warmth can effect many plants causing them to break dormancy. However, since we are still quite early in the winter season and the projected return of more normal temperatures next week damage to plants is not a major concern even if dormancy is broken.

“It’s a very unusual warm period,” Rowland said. “If it were to last two weeks it could be detrimental to plants,” Rowland continued. Rowland explained that any plant that has broken dormancy would return to that state once colder weather resumes.

One plant that may suffer are azaleas. Some people have reported that their azaleas are starting to bloom. Rowland says that since azaleas only have one set of blooms that these plants would have less blooms in the spring.

Wayne Rowland can be heard on Home and Garden Show along with Paul McKenzie every Wednesday at 11:30am as part of the Local Skinny! and the Vance Co. Cooperative Extension Report can be heard at 11:50am on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday on WIZS.

On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

• Get ready to start your 2022 garden journal
• Cooperative extension has Carolina Lawns publication that will give you information A to Z in lawn care
• Start planning your 2022 garden on paper now have a garden plan.
• Check Your trees health,with the leaves off the trees you can see any damage
• How current warm temperatures can affect your plants
• Inventory your seed before ordering more seed.
• Start preparing your seeding equipment for growing transplants
• Build a small greenhouse or cold frame to raise your own transplants for 2022