What to cover tomatoes with for cold nights

Melissa S · May 20, 2020

Hey folks,
Oh, the weather. This week we hit 90f in the day, but this weekend we are forecast to have two nights around 40f. I want to keep my tomatoes safe (19 plants), but they are already pretty tall. I can use their cages for structure, but what's the best material to cover them with to keep them warm? I probably have enough blankets I could use, I could buy tarps or thick plastic sheeting, I could spring for those really big buckets at Home Depot, I think those would be tall enough. I just don't know what would be best.

I can use milk jugs on some of my shorter plants (cucumbers and squash), but the tomatoes are way too big for that. I want to cover them for sure--one of the basil plants saw some damage last night, and that's my canary in the coal mine letting me know the tomatoes need shelter. Advice appreciated. Thanks!

May 20, 2020	#1
Melissa S Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 17	What to cover tomatoes with for cold nights Hey folks, Oh, the weather. This week we hit 90f in the day, but this weekend we are forecast to have two nights around 40f. I want to keep my tomatoes safe (19 plants), but they are already pretty tall. I can use their cages for structure, but what's the best material to cover them with to keep them warm? I probably have enough blankets I could use, I could buy tarps or thick plastic sheeting, I could spring for those really big buckets at Home Depot, I think those would be tall enough. I just don't know what would be best. I can use milk jugs on some of my shorter plants (cucumbers and squash), but the tomatoes are way too big for that. I want to cover them for sure--one of the basil plants saw some damage last night, and that's my canary in the coal mine letting me know the tomatoes need shelter. Advice appreciated. Thanks!