What can happen to annual plants when faced with frost?

Annual plants are characterized by their life cycle, which is completed within a single growing season. When faced with frost, these plants are typically killed by the first frost because they are not adapted to survive freezing temperatures. Frost can damage their cellular structure, leading to wilting, blackening, and overall failure to thrive.

Unlike perennials, which can survive adverse conditions by going dormant or regrowing from stored energy reserves, annuals do not have the capacity to survive significant cold. Their entire growth cycle is dependent on a warm climate to germinate, grow, flower, and eventually set seed. Once the frost occurs, it signals the end of their life cycle, as they cannot regenerate from frost damage. This characteristic is crucial for understanding how frost impacts agricultural practices and crop choices in temp-sensitive planning.