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QUINCY -- Since many plants and flowers are already starting to bloom, the expected frost Tuesday night could seriously harm their growth.

We talked to Dan Frericks at Frericks Plants about what you should do for your blooming plants to keep them safe.

He says any bulb plants like irises and crocuses should be OK through these frosts--and so should your early garden plants like onions.

Frericks advises everyone bring in their potted plants and if your roses or other plants are already blooming, cover them with a sheet or paper bag, not plastic.

"A lot of times plastic when it gets too close to the foilage acts as a conductor so it won't really protect it,'' said Frericks. "A paper bag or sheet is a better insulator and it will help keep the cool out."

Many dogwoods are already starting to bloom around the area, even though Quincy's Dogwood Festival is slated for the first week in May.  We asked Frericks why the dogwoods are blooming already. He says the sudden and long heat wave we've had stimulated the early blooms.