Frost check-in after a cold alert

The forecast said frost was possible last night. What you saw tells us how your garden compares with the forecast.

When we suggest this

• ForecastA frost alert for your garden has just passed.

What would stop us suggesting it

• When you note a new stage, or the timing window ends.
• When you mark it Done or Doesn't apply. "Doesn't fit my setup" stops it for that plant this season.

What to do

1. Look at leaves on exposed plants. Frost damage shows as dark, limp, or water-soaked leaves, sometimes a day later.
2. Leave damaged trees and shrubs alone for now. Wait until new growth shows what's still alive before you prune.
3. Tap an answer below.

What we can't know

• How cold it got at your garden.

Frost damage on woody plants can take days to show; bark and twig damage is best judged after new growth appears.

Where this advice applies

All US regions.

Any garden that just had a cold alert.

Answers become Your note evidence (Frost seen) and help us learn how your garden compares with the forecast.

Exceptions

• Cold alerts you already answered with a frost note that morning.

Reviewed

Sources checked Sept 2026 · awaiting expert review

Gardenplanner research (AI-assisted), pending extension-qualified review

Rule id and version: general.frost-checkin@1