The St. Louis region could be hitting a record low on Wednesday. There is also snow in the forecast. The snow is not what will impact the plants — the freezing temperatures will. We spoke with the experts in the horticulture field at Forest Park Forever to offer you these tips to plan to do today, April 19, before the freezing weather occurs.

1. Put your houseplants inside. Did you recently bring your tropical houseplants outside? Remember to bring them in today.

2. Do you have any summer vegetables outside right now? Cover the tomatoes or peppers with a blanket or a thick layer of straw.

3. Your perennials should be okay. Perennials are adapted to the weather in our region, therefore, the plant itself will be okay. If it is flowering right now, such as phlox, the blooms might not make it, however, the plant itself will sustain.

4. Annuals that are planted in the ground should be covered with a blanket or surrounded by straw. Do not put plastic over your plants.

As for the #ForestParkForever plants? Our team, in partnership with the City of St. Louis, do not plant any annuals that can’t sustain cold weather until after Mother’s Day.

Stay warm, St. Louis!