Hall County Extension Coordinator and County Agent Michael Wheeler said a cotton bed sheet is a good bet to cover tender outdoor plants.
"The cotton allows the plants to breathe, where the plastic sheeting sometimes can suffocate the plant, especially if you leave that plastic on too long and it creates a greenhouse effect," Wheeler said.
Outdoor potted plants are a bit easier, with several options.
"Move them into the garage or under a carport at least. Put them up against the house. The house will radiate some heat," Wheeler said.
He added that six to eight weeks is the break-in period where you don't have to worry about outdoor plantings in the cold. He said if you've taken good care of new plants, they could be fine in the cold after three or four weeks. Some of it depends on how resistant a particular plant is to lower temperatures.
Friday morning's freeze warning is generally for the western half of north Georgia, including Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Towns and Union counties in our area.
The frost warning covers most of northeast Georgia, including Hall, Dawson, Lumpkin and White counties. It also includes Forsyth, Banks, Jackson, Gwinnett and Barrow counties.
The frost advisory is for temperatures in the mid-30's. The freeze warning is for lows in the low-30's.
Both alerts run from 2:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Friday.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2012/11/254989