Temperatures across the region are expected to dip into the lower 30s tonight, prompting a reminder from agricultural experts to safeguard plants and livestock.
Fulton County Extension Agent Anna Barnett advises residents with outdoor vegetation to take precautions against potential frost damage. "If possible, bring outdoor plants inside," Barnett suggests. For those unable to relocate plants indoors, she recommends wrapping tender vegetation to shield it from the cold front.
Barnett also cautions that pastures, especially those containing Johnson grass, are susceptible to hazards following a freeze. She urges livestock owners to keep animals out of Johnson grass pastures for at least two weeks after any frost event. This precaution helps avoid the risks associated with prussic acid—also known as hydrocyanic acid—which can develop in Johnson grass and other sorghum species after a freeze and pose potential toxicity to grazing livestock.
Residents should remain vigilant and prepare for the colder weather as temperatures continue to drop across the area.