Chill nights, hot crops, and tender drama: when the weather throws shade, give your plants the spotlight they deserve

Happy belated Mother’s Day to all the mothers of children, animals, and those who never thought they’d be loved and supported by matriarch figures.

I know, I know- as I type this, it’s been over 85°F for three days straight. And we all have that Californian or Floridian friend showing off their sugar snap pea harvest, baskets of lettuce, or 3-foot-tall tomato plants already in bloom. One of the oldest gardeners in town even told me he could smell it in the air - it’s safe to plant “mators, tators, peppers, and cukes.” This isn’t just the “planter’s itch” anymore. For many of us, it’s a full-on need to grow, weed, and grow some more.

But gardening in Utah - especially southern Utah - is not for the faint of heart. Our climate loves a good plot twist. Even with daily highs in the 70s and 80s, we’re still seeing overnight lows around 42°F. Those surprise chills can be rough on young and tender vegetable and flower seedlings. So, what can we do?

1. Harden off your seedlings. Whether you started them from seed or bought them from a local nursery or big box store, they need time to adjust to your yard’s light, wind, and general vibe. Hardening off helps toughen them up and gives you a chance to spot any pest or disease issues early. Yes, it can feel “extra,” especially if you lovingly raised those little sprouts yourself - but remember, most seedlings are greenhouse pampered. Sending them out to face Utah’s wild weather without prep is like handing a teen the mortgage and saying, “Good luck.”

2. Use water barriers. Water barriers - like jars filled with water placed next to plants - act as mini thermal batteries. They soak up warmth during the day and release it during the chill of predawn hours. Some gardeners go fancy with store-bought “plant protector water walls,” but even an old jar with a lid can help.

3. Water the night before a cold snap. Well-hydrated roots are more resilient. Moist soil holds heat better than dry soil, giving plants a little buffer against dramatic temperature swings.

4. Watch the wind. Spring gusts in southwestern Utah are no joke. The wind can snap seedlings and saplings before they’ve had a chance to toughen up, and a breezy night can give your plants frostbite - even when temps stay above freezing.

Protect your plants with burlap, shade cloth, or even heavy duty plastic bags at night. During the day, staking can help—but with caution. If you only stake in one direction, especially with young trees, they’re more likely to snap when the wind shifts. And overstaking can do more harm than good, preventing plants from building the strength they need to sway without breaking.

I think I hear my cucumbers, cosmos, and zinnias calling - they’re eager to stretch their roots in the ground, the raised beds, and the planter boxes. So, happy planting. May your soil stay warm, your seedlings stay strong, and your neighbors ask how you got tomatoes that early.