Temperatures near freezing are forecasted for the DFW area on Sunday night/Monday morning.
Even if overnight lows stay a few degrees above freezing, frost can still form when clear skies and calm winds allow surface temperatures to dip below 32°F. That means tender plants can be damaged even when the official forecast doesn’t call for a freeze.
What to Protect
Cover all warm-season annual flowers and all summer vegetables, including tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, okra, eggplant, and peppers, with frost cloth, old sheets, or lightweight blankets. Avoid using plastic directly on plants since it transfers cold and can cause more damage.
I plant to cover my fall tomatoes as they are laden with unripe fruit, but the peppers and eggplants will have to fend for themselves. I'll harvest as much from those plants beforehand.
Perennials and Cool-Season Crops
Newly-planted perennials are generally fine for a light frost, though a thin frost cloth or sheet can provide peace of mind if they were recently transplanted or are not yet well-rooted.
Cool-season vegetables and flowers such as lettuce, kale, broccoli, pansies, violas, snapdragons, and sweet peas can tolerate light frosts. In many cases, the vegetables will improve in flavor afterward. However, cover young seedlings or recently transplanted starts for extra protection, as they are more sensitive to sudden temperature swings.
Extra Protection Tips
Water your garden well today. Moist soil holds heat better than dry soil, and drought-stressed plants are more susceptible to damage than well-hydrated plants.
Move potted plants and hanging baskets to a protected location such as a porch, garage, or against a south-facing wall.
If a hard freeze (below 28°F) is later expected, disconnect hoses and protect irrigation timers or exposed pipes.