tomatoes survive 24 degrees!!!

smallfarmer · February 16, 2006

I planted 250 tomatoes out a month before average frost date. The weather here in California zone 8-9 had been in the 70's day and 40's night and I couldn't resist risking 1/3 rd of my earliest transplants. The weather turned bad last night. I got up at 3:30 and the thermometer said 30. I ran to the field, threw another layer of agribon-19 over the rows and started the overhead irrigation. The max-min thermometer this morning said 24!!! and the row cover was an igloo of ice. The neighboring bok choi and trees were coated in huge icicles like after an ice storm. I peaked under the row cover this afternoon after a long sunny day (yikes). Most of the Siberian looked fine, the Glacier looked frosted on top but still alive, the Stupice about the same. More cold weather predicted. Wish me luck.

Mantis · February 16, 2006

Good luck

Mantis · February 16, 2006

If it got down to 24 here, WE would all die

cosmicgardener · February 17, 2006

What's 24 in Strine?

Mantis · February 17, 2006

Minus 3.6

cosmicgardener · February 17, 2006

Sounds like Canberra - no wonder the pollies are stupified.

dokutaaguriin · February 17, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mantis

If it got down to 24 here, WE would all die

(ROFL)
Up until this week we have had a VERY MILD winter, I was almost tempted to start a few leafy greens in the greenhouse because the frost was even out of the soil. Of course dreams of an EXTRA EARLY tomato crop danced in my head, too.
Last Sunday in the greenhouse it was 33C (91.4F) (14C (57.2F)outside) and then an Arctic cold front blew in and the temperature dropped to -31C (-23.8F) last night. (with the windchill -39C (-38.2F).
XTREME Gardening, anyone!
Jeff

Colorado_west · February 17, 2006

Sounds like you are doing okay with your tomatoes. I want to put in some early ones but that is still off for awhile here. Zone 5 here . Good luck with yours. Those early ones will sell. Why I want to do that too.

montanamato · February 17, 2006

-32 actual temp this am and should be -50 tonight with wind chills.
I have 6 - 6week old seedlings for a trial in the cold frame next month.
I sure hope it warms up drastically before then.
Great to hear you beat mother nature that round.

Jeanne

giardiniere · February 17, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by montanamato

-32 actual temp this am and should be -50 tonight with wind chills.
I have 6 - 6week old seedlings for a trial in the cold frame next month.
I sure hope it warms up drastically before then.
Great to hear you beat mother nature that round.

Jeanne

..and to think I was cold this morning at 14°.

KCMO_Don · February 17, 2006

Since this winter has been VERY mild I planted mesclin, spinach, and lettuce about 6 weeks ago, and tossed some plastic over it.
Last night I picked about a peck of baby greens for a few huge salads!

Not bad for dead of winter zone 5!

February 16, 2006	#1
smallfarmer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Vacaville, California, USA Posts: 8	tomatoes survive 24 degrees!!! I planted 250 tomatoes out a month before average frost date. The weather here in California zone 8-9 had been in the 70's day and 40's night and I couldn't resist risking 1/3 rd of my earliest transplants. The weather turned bad last night. I got up at 3:30 and the thermometer said 30. I ran to the field, threw another layer of agribon-19 over the rows and started the overhead irrigation. The max-min thermometer this morning said 24!!! and the row cover was an igloo of ice. The neighboring bok choi and trees were coated in huge icicles like after an ice storm. I peaked under the row cover this afternoon after a long sunny day (yikes). Most of the Siberian looked fine, the Glacier looked frosted on top but still alive, the Stupice about the same. More cold weather predicted. Wish me luck. __________________ Tip Top Produce 6 acre extremely diversified organic specialty market garden selling to farmers markets and restaurants in the SF bay area.

February 17, 2006	#11
KCMO_Don Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: KANSAS Posts: 223	Fluke Since this winter has been VERY mild I planted mesclin, spinach, and lettuce about 6 weeks ago, and tossed some plastic over it. Last night I picked about a peck of baby greens for a few huge salads! Not bad for dead of winter zone 5! __________________ GIGGITY - GIGGITY

February 16, 2006	#2
Mantis Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Oz Posts: 1,241	Good luck

February 17, 2006	#4
cosmicgardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 407	What's 24 in Strine?

February 17, 2006	#8
Colorado_west Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: western Colorado zone 5 Posts: 307	Sounds like you are doing okay with your tomatoes. I want to put in some early ones but that is still off for awhile here. Zone 5 here . Good luck with yours. Those early ones will sell. Why I want to do that too.

February 17, 2006	#9
montanamato Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Montana Posts: 1,038	-32 actual temp this am and should be -50 tonight with wind chills. I have 6 - 6week old seedlings for a trial in the cold frame next month. I sure hope it warms up drastically before then. Great to hear you beat mother nature that round. Jeanne