Cold snaps put gardeners on hold as Brooklyn nurseries protect spring plants
Rows of flowers at Dragonetti Nursery in Mill Basin are noticeably thinner than usual for late April.
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Just when it felt like spring had finally arrived, New Yorkers are once again reaching for jackets. And while the on‑again, off‑again weather is frustrating for people, local nurseries say it can be devastating for plants eager to bloom.
Rows of flowers at Dragonetti Nursery in Mill Basin are noticeably thinner than usual for late April. That’s because many plants are being kept indoors, shielded from overnight cold snaps that can permanently damage or kill new growth.
“It has a bit of windburn,” said Nicolette Cammarata, a manager at Dragonetti Nursery, pointing to warped leaves on a plant that was briefly exposed to the cold. “This is what will happen if it’s just too cold.”
With spring temperatures swinging wildly, nursery staff are making daily decisions about which plants can safely go outside and which must stay protected in greenhouses.
“Everyone wants tomatoes. We get the anticipation,” Cammarata said. “But you have to be careful. You’ve got to wait until this nice weather is here to stay.”
Even on sunny days, many of the display tables outside remain empty. Plants that would normally fill those spaces are still inside, moved in and out on rolling racks as temperatures fluctuate.
“Herbs, vegetables, they’re going on racks and heading inside,” Cammarata explained.
That process happens nearly every day at Dragonetti. Workers roll plants from the greenhouse into the open air when temperatures allow, then bring them back inside at night to protect them from frost. Some plants never make it outside at all.
“We have to make sure that we’re making the right decision before bringing it out,” Cammarata said, “before we lose it."
Customers at the nursery are divided on whether it’s finally safe to start planting.
“I’m very optimistic,” one shopper said. “From here on in, we’ll have nice weather.”
Others are more cautious.
“I’m not planting anything,” another customer said. “One day it’s hot, the next day it’s cold again.”
Certain plants—including palms and edible plants like strawberries and hot peppers—are staying under greenhouse lights full‑time. The nursery staff says homeowners should consider doing the same for now.
“The type of soil you’re using is super important, and fertilizers too, to make sure your plants inside are thriving,” Cammarata said. “A big windowsill and lots of sun—that’s my advice.”
Nursery experts say patience is key. Once temperatures stay consistently above the 50s for a full week, plants will be able to safely move outdoors—and stay there.
Until then, they say, it’s better to wait than risk losing everything to one more unexpected cold snap.
