SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) - The season’s first frost threatens parts of the Ozarks on Wednesday morning, prompting gardening experts to advise plant protection measures.

While some plants can handle temperature drops, others may suffer “chill injury” that damages leaves, slows growth, or kills the plant.

Gardeners should bring potted plants indoors if possible or cover them with insulated material to prevent damage.

“Keep in mind they’ve been outside, enduring our temperatures and the wind and everything like that, and we kind of want to slowly acclimate them back inside to our indoor temperatures,” said Kelly McGowan of the MU Extension Office. “And so keep that in mind, they might go into shock for a while, they might start to drop some leaves.”

Temperatures will moderate through the re

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