Plant Health

Gardening extremes occur when unexpected weather conditions challenge plant growth and survival. Frost, heat, floods, wind, and drought are all environmental changes that can result in plant injury. Plant damage can be sudden and severe or it may occur over time.

Frost injures plants by causing ice crystals to form in plant cells. This makes water unavailable to plant tissues and disrupts the movement of fluids. Frost-damaged leaves appear water-soaked, shrivel, and turn dark brown or black.

Wilted, drooping leaves are signs of heat stress in plants. Photo credit: Pikist.com Plants are sensitive to both air and soil surface temperatures. Temperatures ranging from 60 to 85F are optimum for plant growth and development.

Richard Bell, Unsplash Most landscape plants will survive a few days of flooding. Photo credit: Iowa State University Plant roots need air too. Good garden soil contains a network of pore spaces filled with water and air. Both are necessary for healthy roots and beneficial soil-dwelling organisms.

Plants can dry out quickly when exposed to constant wind. Photo credit: UC Regents The force, direction, and persistence of the wind determine the type of damage plants may suffer. Most damage occurs with winds above 30 miles per hour.

Drought stressed leaves may curl and look scorched. Photo credit: UC Regents Water is essential for the chemical and physical processes that plants need to survive and grow. Healthy plants depend on the movement of water from the soil through the roots and up into the leaves.

Gardens are always changing: plants grow, soils change, leaves fall, and weeds sprout. All plants, whether in your garden or in your home, need consistent maintenance and care.

UC Master Gardeners of Amador County's ClassesUC Master Gardeners offer free classes on various gardening topics throughout the year.  Check our calendar for upcoming classes each month. 2025 Calendar of EventsFor more information contact the Master Gardeners 10am to noon,…

Master Gardeners are trained educational outreach volunteers with the University of California Cooperative Extension program; they provide practical scientific horticulture and gardening information to gardeners in their communities across California.