How Low is too low?

newatthiskat · October 22, 2008

We are having a cold front move through our area today. I am needing to know how cold can it get before unprotected tomato plants are damaged? We are looking at 45 or so tonight with rains. I think it is supposed to get to a low of 42 tomorrow night. Is this too low? Would it help if I throw a tarp over during the night?

gwnorth · October 22, 2008

You'll be fine at 42, probably right down to freezing, 32, in fact. The plants will survive unless they are hit with real frost. Cool and cold nights do, however, affect the quality of the fruit - flavour and even texture
will suffer at extended lower temperatures. A night or two or three may not be noticeable. And, as has been said so often, they're still a lot better than store-bought tomatoes!

Worth1 · October 22, 2008

I agree.
My plants started out in the cold and they will go out in the cold.

Worth

newatthiskat · October 22, 2008

I really appreciate the replies! I guess I can stop Freaking out and go to bed LOL. Night shift psych nurse! I think it is rubbing off on me. Someone threatened my life because I would not let them smoke and all I could think about is darn I am going to loose my tomatoes.
Kat

October 22, 2008	#1
newatthiskat Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: texas Posts: 1,451	How Low is too low? We are having a cold front move through our area today. I am needing to know how cold can it get before unprotected tomato plants are damaged? We are looking at 45 or so tonight with rains. I think it is supposed to get to a low of 42 tomorrow night. Is this too low? Would it help if I throw a tarp over during the night?

October 22, 2008	#2
gwnorth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 85	You'll be fine at 42, probably right down to freezing, 32, in fact. The plants will survive unless they are hit with real frost. Cool and cold nights do, however, affect the quality of the fruit - flavour and even texture will suffer at extended lower temperatures. A night or two or three may not be noticeable. And, as has been said so often, they're still a lot better than store-bought tomatoes! __________________ Larry in the G W North

October 22, 2008	#3
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	I agree. My plants started out in the cold and they will go out in the cold. Worth Last edited by Worth1; October 22, 2008 at 12:05 PM.

October 22, 2008	#4
newatthiskat Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: texas Posts: 1,451	Thanks! I really appreciate the replies! I guess I can stop Freaking out and go to bed LOL. Night shift psych nurse! I think it is rubbing off on me. Someone threatened my life because I would not let them smoke and all I could think about is darn I am going to loose my tomatoes. Kat