After several nights in the low 20’s I am learning about frozen daffodils! Please see my last post, Daffodils and Freezing Cold Weather, on the beginnings of this learning experience. No one wants frozen daffodils! They are one of the first flowers to emerge after winter. I watch expectantly, as many people do, as I see them push up through the earth in the late winter. Daffodils are one of the first breaths of spring. This year we thought we were done with cold weather. I even contemplated planting my Sugar Snap Peas early because the extended forecast didn’t include any freezing weather. So much for that extended forecast. We have had several nights in the low 20’s with a big snowstorm. And then after that we have 2-3 nights expected to be in the teens.
What I Am Learning About Frozen Daffodils
So far none of my daffodils have frozen in temperatures in the low 20’s at night. They are extremely hardy. But they do take a beating from the freezing temperatures. Some daffodils are actually on the ground after a freezing night. During the next day they mostly rejuvenate and spring back to life off the ground. I’ve been watching carefully:
- If they don’t spring back to life during the day
- if they stay very close to the ground during the day
- or if their stem actually gets a bend in it
I have been cutting them before the next cold night. The flowers have been fine. I have several canning jars containing beautiful daffodils around my house. Basically this is a science experiment to see how much cold it takes before they become frozen daffodils. You can do your own experiments to see how your type of daffodils do in the freezing weather. I’m sure the different kinds of daffodils respond differently to cold temperatures.
Advice on Daffodils and Snow
Last night, March 13th, we had a very late snowstorm. We were supposed to get up to 10 inches of snow. The predictions actually varied greatly. What we did get is about 4 inches of very heavy wet snow. I left a lot of daffodils outside to see how they would fare. They didn’t do so well. I think the wet heavy snow did them in.
The heavy wet snow damaged a lot of the flowers. I would recommend that if you are going to have:
- a late snow
- that is substantial meaning several inches
- and it is heavy and wet
- and your daffodils are already in bloom
cut as many as you want and bring them into the house to enjoy.
Enjoy Your Daffodils in the House If it is Too Cold Outside
If you are going to have very cold nights, that is the low 20’s, cut some daffodils to enjoy in the house. Leave some outside to see how they do. If they are on the ground in the morning they might recover during the day. If you want just cut them and bring them indoors so you can still enjoy their beauty and brilliance! It is amazing how many daffodils can grow in a small patch. We have so many in our house and there are still a lot outside! I wish I would have counted them. Good luck with your daffodils and enjoy the spring soon to be here!
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