North Carolina (N.C.) State Extension reminds strawberry growers that while temperatures will be cold this weekend, not all need to apply row covers to their crop.
Dormant plants that are acclimated to colder weather usually do fine without protection even when temperatures are in the teens. Plants that are in an advanced crop status, however, could be damaged at higher temperatures.
In some areas of North Carolina, places that are affected by temperatures in the low teens or even single digits, would be the only situations that row covers are recommended to be applied. Strawberries can receive crown damage even in a dormant stage if temperatures drop into the single digits.
If row covers have already been applied, it is important to leave them on until the cold front has passed. Warmer temperatures are supposed to arrive Monday and Tuesday.
It is also important to consider that this cold system will bring rain and snow before the temperatures drop. Wet row covers can be a risk. In areas where the temperature does not drop into single digits or into the low teens, a judgement call needs to be made on a case-by-case basis. This is based on your crop status and the predicted minimum temperatures at your specific location.
Northwest winds are projected to increase to 15-30 miles per hour through Saturday along with falling dew point temperatures into the single digits.
A hard freeze is projected Saturday night and Sunday morning with temperatures expected to reach as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit.