This weekend's unseasonable cold snap has had a harsh effect on some crops and farmers, but University of Tennessee Extension Agent John Teague cautions homeowners not to panic or pull up a plant that seems to have been killed.

The wheat crop has been dramatically affected. Farmer Bobby Vannatta said that his wheat crop, for use as grain, has been pretty much wiped out.

"It's lost," said Vannatta. "It's gone."

Teague said it takes just two hours at 28 degrees to cause moderate to severe damage to wheat grains in what is called the "boot stage." Bedford County had not two hours, but two nights of such temperatures.

Teague added that even if the grain has been lost, it may still be possible to use the wheat as hay -- with a caveat. The wheat may have been heavily fertilized before the freeze, and without grain heads to process that nitrogen the stalks may contain abnormally high levels of nitrates, which could give nitrate poisoning to animals who feed on the hay. In some cases, the high-nitrate hay can be mixed with normal hay for feeding so that the overall nitrate is within safe levels.

There is better news about the corn crop. Teague said that corn will probably survive if it is in the 3-5 leaf stage, about 5-6 inches tall. Much of the corn in Bedford County fits that description, he said. However, the stress of the cold temperatures could still damage the plants and reduce yields.

Fruit and nut trees will have their yields drastically impacted by the cold snap.

"We can pretty well forget it," said Teague. There are only two or three professional orchards of any size in the county, but many people have fruit or nut trees for home use.

Teague said that Valley Home Farm in Wartrace is reporting some damage to its strawberry crop but still expects to have some yields. He said strawberry damage is spotty statewide and depends a great deal on what variety of strawberry is being grown.

Teague said that ornamental trees which lost their buds as a result of the cold will likely re-bud, but the process causes stress to the tree, especially when coupled with the dry weather of the last two years.

Teague warned homeowners not to panic just because ornamental trees seem to have been killed.

"Patience, patience, patience," he said.

Wait to see if a plant returns to life before removing it or taking other drastic action. Don't fertilize a damaged plant; that can stress it even further. But do water such plants well, giving them the equivalent of an inch of rainfall per week. For a 10 foot by 10 foot plot, that takes about 62.5 gallons of water.

Homeowners should also be especially vigilant for insect problems, which can be made worse by the weakened condition of the tree.

The Extension Office can be reached at 684-5971.