Frost - a VERY close call?

bigcheef · May 1, 2008

Well Mater,

As you know, I’m just across town and I thought the plants would be okay at 38 degrees. This was not the case but I have to say I learned an interesting lesson. It was not a great loss with only 5 plants succumbing to frost damage. Since I planted everything last week, I had only had time to cover half of the garden with news paper and wheat straw. Surprisingly, these were the plants most affected by the frost! The other plants that were just in the dirt with no protection made it through the frost completely unscathed. I also had 2 plants in containers on the deck that had no problem.

The only think I can think of is that the straw must have held the moisture around the plants allowing it to frost rather than evaporating in the early morning. Go figure, but I guess it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. I did cover the plants for the second night of cold weather but I think I just did that for piece of mind.

Another discovery was made quite to my surprise this morning when I realized my Kimberly had set its first 3 fruits during the cold snap!

Heck of a pursuit, this tomato thing. I learn something new every year.

RIK

May 1, 2008	#16
bigcheef Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: TN Posts: 316	a fine how do you do Well Mater, As you know, I’m just across town and I thought the plants would be okay at 38 degrees. This was not the case but I have to say I learned an interesting lesson. It was not a great loss with only 5 plants succumbing to frost damage. Since I planted everything last week, I had only had time to cover half of the garden with news paper and wheat straw. Surprisingly, these were the plants most affected by the frost! The other plants that were just in the dirt with no protection made it through the frost completely unscathed. I also had 2 plants in containers on the deck that had no problem. The only think I can think of is that the straw must have held the moisture around the plants allowing it to frost rather than evaporating in the early morning. Go figure, but I guess it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. I did cover the plants for the second night of cold weather but I think I just did that for piece of mind. Another discovery was made quite to my surprise this morning when I realized my Kimberly had set its first 3 fruits during the cold snap! Heck of a pursuit, this tomato thing. I learn something new every year. RIK __________________ When I die don't bury me In a box in a cold dark cemetery Out in the garden would be much better Cause I could be pushin up a home grown tomater Lyrics by Guy Clark