It is officially spring on the calendar, but freezing temperatures are still lingering as they were overnight Tuesday. Many people are planning their gardens and preparing to landscape this time of year. With freezing temperatures, horticulturists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach advise dormant plants won’t be harmed. However, freezing temperatures can damage new spring growth, especially flowers on trees. They state, the extent of damage will be determined by the plant species, stage of flower development and temperature. Apricots and peaches are more prone to damage from a spring freeze as they bloom earlier than apples, pears and tart cherries. Also, when at full bloom, temperatures dipping down to 28 degrees will kill about 10% of the flowers in apple trees, but if the temperature drops just three more degrees to 25 approximately 90% of the flowers will be killed. Late freezes can reduce the size of fruit crop. Temperatures are expected to stay above freezing the next two weeks.