Did you cover your plants?

Sensitive plants likely took their first hit Thursday morning in Spencer.

The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, S.D., was concerned enough about conditions to issue a frost advisory for portions of northwest Iowa including Spencer, Spirit Lake and Storm Lake.

Widespread frost was likely between 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. Thursday. Sensitive outdoor plants could see lasting effects if precautionary measures weren't taken.

Once the sun chases away cool conditions Thursday morning, meteorologist Brad Temeyer from the National Weather Service Office in Sioux Falls thinks the area's residents won't have to be concerned about frost going into the weekend.

"This looks to be the coolest morning of the next several, actually," he said.

Statistically, the frost is arriving right on time in Spencer. Sept. 29 is the average day for the city's first frost. The average date for the first hard freeze for Spencer is Oct. 10.

Aside from a few soybean patches that had to be replanted because of pooling water, the morning frost likely won't be a concern for area ag producers.

"Most of the corn and soybeans aren't going to be hurt by a frost," said ISU Extension crop specialist Paul Kassel. "Some of the later-planted beans are going to be affected -- but even most of them are going to be mostly OK. We're not too concerned about the corn and soybean crop at this point in time."

The first frost isn't necessarily bad news for garden enthusiasts either, according to Todd Brockshus who is on the staff at Del's Garden Center in Spencer.

"There are a lot of people who are waiting for a frost for their tender perennials -- things like gladioluses and dahlias -- those are plants that don't make it through the winter in this area and people commonly dig them up and bring in their roots or their bulbs indoors to store them through the winter."

Canna bulbs also can be brought in after the first frost.

Area gardeners would be a little late for poinsettias. They like to be brought inside before lows approach the 60-degree mark.

Brockshus also reminded growers that some plants may have a companion as they are carried indoors.

"A good idea before you bring any plants in is to apply insecticide to the soil or to spay them with an insecticide so you're not bringing in unwanted pests indoors to plants you might already have," he said.

For plants like tomatoes and peppers, 32 degrees is a point of concern. Other plants sustain damage at about the 28-degree mark.

Some varieties of apples need a good frost before the tree begins to shed leaves and the apple takes up a lot of sugar. Sweet potatoes, gourds, pumpkins and squash become easier to harvest once the foliage is frozen away.

"There are beneficial things that go along with the frost, too," Brockshus said.