How to protect garden from freeze

7 Ways to Protect Your Plants From a Sudden Frost

62412 shares

An unexpected freeze in spring or fall can quickly devastate your garden.

Early in the growing season, it is especially destructive for tender seedlings that are too fragile to survive sudden dips in temperature.

Even in autumn, when we’re trying to get as much food harvested as possible, it can force more established plants to become dormant and non-productive.

Frost is defined as a thin layer of ice that forms when water vapor changes from a gas to a solid as it is exposed to temperatures below the freezing point.

Frost injures plants when water in the plant cells turn into ice crystals, which disrupts the movement of fluids and damages plant tissues.

A light frost of between 28°F to 32°F won’t wreak as much havoc on plants as a hard frost below 28°F will.

It’s important to note that some veggies actually taste better after a frost. Here’s ten that do.

While keeping an eye on the weather forecast goes hand in hand with gardening, there are a few environmental conditions that will typically lead to a frost.

Cloudy nights help insulate the earth from sudden swings in temperature, but clear skies have a cooling effect that allows heat to escape into the atmosphere.

Calm conditions with little wind are more likely to reach a freezing point since very low air movement means warmer currents are not being distributed over the ground.

Clearly temperature is a major factor for frost, especially when there is moisture in the air (during foggy conditions or when dew is formed overnight) which promotes ice crystal formation.

Frost may be deadly to our garden crops, but practicing a bit of vigilance and having some supplies at the ready can make a huge difference in protecting your delicate plants from the cold.

1.

When a frost is in the forecast, wait until dusk and move your potted plants and hanging baskets indoors.

Plants situated in containers are more prone to frost damage since they won’t benefit at all from the insulating powers of the earth, like in-ground plants would.

Potted plants are much more susceptible to root damage in colder temperatures.

Choose a place that isn’t too warm – as sudden changes in temperature can shock plants – such as a spot in your garage, shed, or basement.

Inspect plants thoroughly for pests and disease before bringing them inside your home. Keep plants isolated from your houseplants to prevent the potential spread of insects.

Once the risk of frost has passed, haul all your plants back outside first thing in the morning.

2.

It may seem counterintuitive but keeping the soil moist can help protect plants from the cold.

Moist soil has an insulating effect, which radiates heat upward come nightfall.

When watering plants before a cold snap, be sure to do it in the midday when temperatures are still somewhat warm.

3.

Just like slipping on a sweater when it’s chilly, adding a layer of mulch to your garden beds will help protect the soil from sudden swings in temperature.

Use straw, wood chips, leaf mold, or even just a heap of leaves to provide crucial insulation for the plants’ root systems below ground. Mulch heavily, to a depth between 3 to 6 inches, to create a good barrier.

Leave an inch or two opening around the central stalk so that the warmth of the soil can travel up through the plant.

Although mulching your garden beds is one of the best things you can do to keep things low maintenance, you’ll want to pull some of this protective mulch away when the weather warms up.

4.

A cloche is a bell shaped cover made from plastic or glass that helps keep smaller plants warm and cosy in cold weather.

You can purchase plastic garden cloches – like this 3-pack by Tierra Garden here – and reuse them when needed during the inclement weather of spring and fall.

If you’re in a pinch, many things around the home can be used as a cloche.

An upside down bucket or flower pot would do the trick. Or cut off the bottoms of plastic milk jugs and nestle them into the soil.

When using cloches to ward against frost, place them over your plants just before nightfall and uncover them in the morning so they can benefit from the warmth and energy of the sun.

5.

To protect a larger group of plants, simply cover them up with blankets, bed sheets, towels, or drop cloths.

Before laying down the fabric, place several stakes around your plants so that when your cover them, it creates a tent-like structure.

Allow the material to drape over the plants all the way to the soil line. Don’t cinch it around the trunk or stem of the plant, as tying it off will prevent the heat of the earth from emanating up through the plant.

For extra frost resistance, add a final layer of plastic – a tarp or an old shower curtain, for instance, would work great.

Just be careful that no part of the plastic covering makes contact with your plant’s foliage as plastic can damage your plants.

Weigh down the corners and edges with heavy stones or bricks to prevent the coverings from blowing away in the night. Done just before dusk, you’ll need to remove these coverings first thing in the morning the next day.

If dealing with the threat of frost is a recurring theme in your garden, you may wish to invest in specially designed, reusable, and breathable frost blankets like this one, that can be cut to size.

On really chilly nights, mylar thermal blankets (aka space blankets), with the aluminized side facing down toward the plants, helps reflect 99% of the heat back to the earth.

Place space blankets on top of plastic covers.

Another option for neat and orderly garden rows is this mini hoop house kit that comes with steel hoops and a fitted, heavy duty garden fleece covering that conserves warmth.

6.

Younger trees, between the ages of 1 to 4 years old, are more much more sensitive frost injury, which may outright kill them.

Likewise, the buds and blossoms of fruit trees exposed to frost in spring will stunt their growth and result in a reduced harvest for the rest of the growing season.

Citrus trees are particularly frost tender and should be protected when temperatures dip to 29°F.

To protect trees from the cold, wrap their trunks with towels, blankets, cardboard, rags, or pipe insulation.

You can also use burlap or felted tree protector wraps.

Starting at the base of the trunk, wrap around and around, making sure to overlap layers by a couple inches. Keep wrapping in this manner until you reach the lowest branches of the tree.

Secure the wrap to the tree with some twine or weatherproof tape.

If temperatures reach 26°F for a prolonged period, add a layer of plastic sheeting over your wrap for added frost protection.

7.

When frost threatens vast tracts of land in commercial agriculture, farmers have employed various tactics to simulate wind.

One such device is a selective inverted sink, a large fan in a chimney that pulls cold air up and away while it pulls warmer air down to the ground.

Another method is to task a number of low-flying helicopters to fly over crops to keep the air flowing!

While neither of these are practical solutions for the home gardener, the concept of air movement to ward off frost can be utilized at a much smaller scale.

Simulating wind this way can raise the temperatures in your garden patch by 2°F to 7°F.

On still nights with no rain in the forecast, an electric fan can be used to create an artificial breeze.

Because electronics and water don’t mix, you may wish to invest in a powerful blower made for outdoor use, like this rechargeable one from Amazon.

When possible, place portable fans in a sheltered spot. To ensure warmer air is drawn downward, set it up a few feet off the ground – the higher the better.

Try to situate it so that the breeze moves over every plant in the plot.

You’ll know your plants have been damaged by frost when the leaves and branches turn black or brown.

Wait until the weather warms up and all danger of frost has passed before pruning.

Dead branches and twigs provide a bit of protection too, so hold off until you see new growth before cutting the damaged foliage away.

Save yourself the panic and heartbreak of losing your flowers, trees, and crops to a sudden frost by planning your garden accordingly.

Plants that are native to your region are much better adapted to the temperature swings of your biome. Use the Native Plant Finder to get ideas on indigenous bushes, grasses, flowers, and trees.

Other frost hardy flowering plants include crocus, pansy, tulip, calendula, sweet alyssum, and snapdragon.

As for edibles, there are plenty of cold hardy veggies that often taste sweeter when touched by frost:

Root Vegetables – Carrots, potatoes, beets, parsnips, turnips, onions, garlic, radish, and rutabaga.

Cruciferous Vegetables – Broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, bok choy, and collard greens.

Leafy Greens – Spinach, lettuce, Swiss chard, arugula, tatsoi, and mache.

When planning out your garden in the spring, avoid planting frost tender plants in low lying areas and in depressions in the ground that create frost pockets.

Since warmer air rises and cooler air sinks, plants sensitive to frost should be sowed in higher ground, in raised garden beds, or in containers that are easy to bring inside when cold weather hits.

Pin This To Save For Later

62412 shares

Protecting Plants From Frost: How to Prevent Frost Damage

Find out how to protect your garden from frost.  We’ll explain which vegetables are damaged by frost, different ways to cover and protect your plants from frost, and which vegetables can be left in the ground (because frost actually improves their flavor!). If you prepare in advance, you won’t be left stumbling around in the dark the night before freezing weather—and you’ll save your precious plants.

Frost Dates

First, know approximately when your location typically gets frost. See our Frost Dates Calculator for local average frost dates in spring and fall.

• Note: On weather sites, many frost dates are based on a 50% chance of frost. However, our calculator assumes a 30% probability of frost. After all, do you want a 50% chance of your plant dying?

Second, know that a light frost—32°F and colder—kills all tender plants such as tomatoes. Hardier plants such as spinach and kale will survive until there’s a hard freeze—28°F and colder. (We explain the frost tolerance level of different crops below. )

As gardeners, our frost dates are based on 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius) to avoid the risk of any plant death. However, know that even if air temperatures are as high as 38°F, frosts may occur on the ground and on plants. It’s better to protect plants just in case!

Weather Forecast

Of course, frost dates are only a general guide. They are not predicting the upcoming year’s frost; rather, they are averages based on multiple years of historical data. Plus, frost dates are based on the nearest reporting weather station; they don’t reflect smaller “microclimates” in your yard such as a low spot or an area near water or pavement. 

So, keep a close eye on the daily weather forecast! If it looks like temperatures are going to drop, get ready to protect tender plants. Moisture also determines whether frost will nip your plants. Condensation warms and evaporation cools. When moisture in the air condenses on plants and soil, heat is produced, sometimes raising the temperature enough to save the plants. On the other hand, if the air is dry, moisture in the soil will evaporate, removing some heat. 

Also, the first frosts of the season usually happen on clear, calm nights.  

What Temperatures Cause Frost Damage?

Frost causes damage and even failure to many vegetable crops. But some crops will taste even better with frost. The flavor of broccoli, for instance, actually improves if the plant has experienced a frost, and carrots get sweeter as the temperature drops. Root crops develop more sugars when the soil temperature is below 40° F; and Brussels sprouts are often best after a light freeze.

How low can you go? The temperatures shown in the graphic below tell you when the frost will cause damage to the respective vegetable.

Frost Resistance of Vegetables

Another way gardeners look at frost resistance is to categorize from “hardy” to “tender.” Some plants (“hardy”) tolerate some amount of short-term freezing, while other plants (“tender”) are killed or injured by freezing temperatures.

Hardy Vegetables (Frost hardy; below 28° F):

Can withstand freezing temperatures and hard frosts for short periods without injury.
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Collards
Horseradish
Kale
Kohlrabi
Mustard Greens
Onion (sets and seeds)
Parsley
Peas
Radish
Rutabaga
Spinach
Turnips

Frost-Tolerant Vegetables (can withstand light frost; 28 to 32° F):

Beet
Carrot
Cauliflower
Celery
Chard
Chinese Cabbage
Endive
Jerusalem artichoke
Lettuce
Onion, garlic, chives
Parsnips
Potatoes
Rhubarb

Tender Vegetables (No frost)

The following vegetables are damaged by light frost. They should be protected from frost or harvested before frost.
Beans
Cucumber
Eggplant
Muskmelon
Okra
Pepper
Pumpkin
Squash, summer
Squash, winter
Sweet corn
Sweet potato
Tomato
Watermelon

Notes:

• Pumpkins and winter squash may be able to tolerate very light frosts, but it is better to protect them if possible.
• Tomatoes can be harvested and will ripen off the vine; they must be at least “mature green” (changed from the deep green to almost turning red)
• Muskmelons must “slip” easily from the vine to to ripen further at room temperatures.

How to Protect Plants from Frost

Of course, the main way to protect plants from frosts is to cover them with a blanket or row cover. This material traps the heat to keep plants warmer.  It’s worth the time to cover your crops because sometimes an early freeze is a freak incident and there are many days of great weather to follow.

• Row covers are made of non-woven polyester. Garden stores will sell “row covers” of different weights or thickness.
• Bed sheets, drop cloths, or medium-weight fabric will also make suitable covers for vulnerable plants. Do not use plastic. 
• Drape loosely to allow for air circulation. Do not let the material rest on the plants.
• Secure to ground with rocks or bricks or stakes to keep the covering from touching the foliage beneath.
• Keep sheets or row covers at the ready, stored somewhere dry, neatly rolled up and off the ground to keep them away from vermin. If you use polythene covers, hose them down if they’re dirty and dry them so they’re ready to use when frost threatens. It’s best to have all covers in place well before sunset. Before you cover the plants in late afternoon or early evening, water your plants lightly. 
• Apply covers in early evening as winds die down, and remove the coverings when temperatures rise the next day (mid-morning) so that plants can get full exposure to the warming sunlight.

For a few smaller plants you can make “hot caps” from recycled milk or soda bottles with the bottoms cut out, paper bags, or newspaper tents. For example, just cut a 2-liter clear plastic soda bottle in half.

Mulch Low Plantings

For a short cold period, low plantings can be covered with mulch, such as straw or leaf mold. Remove once the danger of frost has passed. Read more about using mulch.

Create Cold Frames

In the future, consider cold frames for your garden, either portable or permanent. Here’s how to make cold frames.

Or, make a mini-hoop house using homemade hoops of PVC water pipe, slid onto lengths of rebar hammered into the ground. Connect the hoops at the top with a central ridge of piping. It’s an effective way to keep winter hardy salads and vegetables safe from harsh weather. See how to make a row cover tunnel. 

Employ Irrigation

Moist soil can hold up to four times more heat than a dry soil, conducting heat faster to the soil surface, and keeping the air above it about five degrees (F) warmer. So water well before a frost. A variation on this water theme is milk jugs, painted black, full of water in the garden. These absorb heat during the day, releasing it at night.

Protect Root Crops

 In milder regions, they root crops can be left in the ground. Some, like parsnips, actually become sweeter after a frost. Mulch your root vegetables with a thick layer of compost, straw, dried leaves or leaf mold, but if the ground is likely to freeze solid for a long period, dig them up and store them somewhere cool, dry and frost-free. 

Protect Containers

In winter the biggest enemy of crops in pots is persistently wet potting soil. Make sure there is adequate drainage by placing containers onto pot feet (or improvise with small rocks).  Some containers can crack in very cold conditions. To prevent this, wrap pots in bubble plastic or burlap. Move pots somewhere more sheltered if possible, for instance against a South-facing house wall, or into a greenhouse. 

Protect Soil in Winter

Don’t forget about the soil! Keep soil covered to protect beneficial soil life such as worm-, bug- and fungi-happy.  Before it gets too cold, add a thick layer of organic matter to the surface to keep soil life fed and protect the soil itself from erosion. 

VIDEO: How To Protect Plants

See how to protect your garden with some of these techniques.

Fall Frost Tips

If you’re a gardener, it’s the first fall frost which is most concerning, as it can result in a lot of lost crops. Here are a few more fall frost damage prevention tips:

• Water the soil thoroughly before frost. Water holds heat better than dry soil, protecting roots and warming air near the soil. However, avoid soaking the ground as this can lead to the water freezing within the soil and damaging the roots.
• In the fall, the first frost is often followed by a prolonged period of frost-free weather. Cover tender flowers and vegetables on frosty nights, and you may be able to enjoy extra weeks of gardening. 
• Mulch your garden beds. Mulching with materials like straw, pine needles and wood chips helps preserve heat and moisture and so prevents frosts forming.

In fall, protecting tender plants and harvesting crops before frost hits are most important. Before a light frost:

• Bring houseplants (especially tropicals) and other tender plants indoors before the first light frost arrives. Keep them in a sunny window in a relatively moist room; the kitchen is often best.
• Harvest basil and other tender herbs. Even if they survive the frost, they don’t do well in cold temperatures. The same is true for most annuals.
• Harvest all tender vegetables and tender greens, including: tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, beans, cucumbers, watermelons, cantaloupe, okra, squash, and sweet corn. Green tomatoes don’t need light to ripen, and in fact ripening can be slowed by light.  Keep fruit 55 and 65 degrees (F) for best ripening. Here are a few tips for ripening green tomatoes.

For plants that can survive a light frost, add a heavy layer of mulch to keep the ground around them from freezing. You can still harvest late into the fall as long as the ground isn’t frozen. These veggies include: beets, broccoli, cabbage, celery, lettuce, parsnips, arugula, swiss chard, and other leafy greens.

Wait to harvest plants that can survive a hard frost last, such as: carrots, garlic, horseradish, kale, rutabagas, leeks, parsnips, radishes, spinach, and turnips.

Spring Frost Tips

Here are some extra tips for preventing frost damage in spring. It can be a real bummer to lose young plants to a late spring frost.

• In early spring, warm up your soil faster by covering it over with row covers or garden fleece. This technique is particularly useful for heavy or clay soils that retain a lot of moisture. Lay the material over the ground at least one week before sowing and soil temperatures will rise by a couple of degrees, making all the difference for early sowings.
• While frosts are still possible, plant cool-season crops that are more tolerant of colder temperatures. Crops like peas, spinach, kale, and cabbage can power through a light spring frost.
• Start tender or warm-season crops—like tomatoes and peppers—indoors or after the threat of frost has passed. Consult our Planting Calendar to see recommended planting dates.

Designing Your Garden to Reduce Frost Damage

A garden designed with frost in mind can help to mitigate the extent of cold damage experienced by your plants. Here are a selection of different ways that you can reduce the amount of cooling in and around your garden:

Consider Garden Placement

• Your garden will warm up more during the day if it slopes toward the sun. Residual heat in plants and soil may determine whether your garden sustains frost damage during the night. Cold air, which is dense and heavy, will flow away from plants growing on a slope—what the experts call “drainage.” 
• A garden on a south-facing slope offers two advantages: more exposure to the Sun, and better drainage of cold air. In deep valleys, nighttime temperatures may be as much as 18°F lower than the temperature on the surrounding hills.
• Avoid planting tender species in open, exposed areas or in low spots where cold air settles. Better to put them near a south or west-facing wall, which absorbs heat during the day and radiates it at night.

Use Nearby Structures as Heat Sinks and Natural Covers

• Fences, boulders and shrubs can serve as protective function for nearby plantings.
• Trees surrounding your garden can act like a blanket and reduce the amount of heat radiating from the soil, potentially keeping the temperature high enough to protect your plants from early fall frosts. Plants themselves can modify cooling, too. Place plants close together to create a canopy that entraps heat from the soil (though the tops can still suffer frost damage).
• A garden positioned in front of a rock or brick wall benefits from the warmth absorbed by the wall during the day. At night, it will radiate heat slowly.
• A body of water (if it is one acre or larger) will also act as a heat sink.  Similarly, a cold frame can be heated with an improvised heat sink: a dozen 1-gallon jugs of water. They absorb heat during the day and radiate it at night.

Other Design Considerations

• Raised beds will warm up more quickly than in-ground gardens, but may need some extra attention if plants (such as garlic) are left to overwinter.
• Use good soil that’s full of organic matter retains moisture more easily, reducing the rate of evaporation. Mulch also helps to prevent evaporation.

Design your garden with the Almanac Garden Planner, which uses averaged frost data from nearly 5,000 weather stations across the U.S. and Canada. Try it out for free here!

Learn How to Predict Frost

When the sky seems very full of stars, expect frost. 
–Weather lore

If it has been a glorious day, with a clear sky and low humidity, chances are that temperatures will drop enough at night to cause frost. Read more about how to predict a frost!

How to protect the garden from return frosts?

Gardeners and gardeners are looking forward to the onset of spring in order to start planting as soon as possible, wanting to ensure a quick harvest. Seeds and seedlings are planted in open ground, using various methods for warming the earth: they spill the soil with hot water, heat the earth with fires, lay a layer of manure and straw along the bottom of the planting pit (like a greenhouse).

But all the tricks can go down the drain if nature does not indulge in the weather, spring frosts are especially dangerous for plants planted in open ground. The spring sun is deceptive, in an instant it can hide behind lead clouds, and the chilling wind and cold rain will cross out all hopes for an early harvest. Sometimes the weather service warns about frosts, but these forecasts are not always accurate and timely. This article is all about how to independently predict the onset of frost in the spring, how to protect garden plants from spring cold snaps. nine0003

Forewarned is forearmed

This popular expression belongs to Caesar, but it can be taken as a motto for all gardeners who practice early planting seedlings in open ground.

How can you determine for yourself that frosts may occur without relying on the weather service? Everything is very simple - you need to monitor the temperature in your area. You need to do this in a special way, but there is nothing difficult in monitoring the temperature.

Signs of a cold snap - calm windless weather that has settled in the evening, which is accompanied by clearing. This may mean that the air temperature can drop significantly at night. nine0003

Keeping track of the thermometer marks on your own is not enough to timely protect the garden from frost, it is necessary to measure the air temperature in the area daily at certain hours.

The thermometer is mounted 2 meters above the ground using wooden poles. The temperature column is installed at a distance from the buildings, protection from rain and wind is provided from above. It is useful to paint the structure white to reflect the sun's rays.

The temperature is measured daily at 13:00 and at 21:00, the readings are recorded in a log, where the results of measurements are applied vertically at 21:00, and horizontally - the temperature difference at 13:00 and 21:00. Straight lines are mentally drawn from the marked points vertically and horizontally to determine the point of their intersection. If the point of intersection of these lines is below the 100% oblique line, then a cooling is inevitable; if its position coincides on the graph between the 100% and 80% oblique lines, a frost is very possible, etc. The lower the values ​​of the graph, the less threat of frost threatens this area. nine0003

This method is suitable for those who live near their summer cottage and can monitor the temperature daily.

Frost in the spring garden: protection measures

What should those who are used to relying on weather services do? What measures will help protect plantings from spring cataclysms?

It is known that the flower buds of fruit crops cannot stand the decrease in air temperature from minus 3.5C to 4C. If a cold snap is unavoidable, flowering trees must be protected from low temperatures. nine0003

Blooming flowers are threatened with death when the temperature drops to 1. 5–2°C, and fruit ovaries may die at –1°C.

Protecting the garden during the onset of frost can be done with the help of smoke screens, for which they arrange fires in the garden, making sure that the smoke envelops the trees.

Warm smoke can raise the air temperature up to +2C, which is quite enough to protect the garden from frost.

A smoke pile is prepared from rotten straw, sawdust, leaf litter, manure, moss, cut tree branches, the main thing is that the fire can burn for at least 2 hours. It is necessary to ensure slow burning with a large amount of smoke, which is possible when raw materials are added to the fire. nine0003

To protect the entire area of ​​the garden, it is useful to calculate the number of burning piles, it is enough to arrange 1-2 fires for 50 m2 of plantings.

Spring frosts are insidious, they can come after weeks of steady heat, so you need to prepare for them in advance. Smoke heaps must be prepared in advance, using branches from spring pruning of trees and shrubs, harvested manure and other materials.

How to make a smoke pile

Smoke pile dimensions:

1. Length (width) - from 1.25 to 1.5 m.
2. Height - 0.5 to 0.75 m.

Dry, fast-burning materials are placed in the middle: dry straw, paper, cardboard, dry sawdust. Raw materials for a fire are laid on top of them and from the sides: manure, peat, thick branches, spruce branches, covering the top of the pile with a layer of earth. For the exit of smoke and ignition, special holes are left, which are caulked with straw. The fire is set on fire from the leeward side, it is necessary to keep burning until the onset of morning warming. nine0003

The ashes from the fire and the unburned components of the smoke pile are used to make compost. If the threat of frost persists, a new pile is laid in place of the burned-out fire to protect the garden from frost.

Garden: protection from spring cold snap

When planting garden crops in early spring, everyone hopes for an early harvest, but nature can interfere with the plans, preparing an unpleasant surprise - spring frosts, which can happen even in mid-May. nine0003

Planted plants can be protected in several ways:

Name of the method of protecting the garden from spring frosts	How to protect
Shelter construction	This is the most popular, but rather costly and laborious way to protect garden plantings from spring frosts. To do this, you will need to purchase a special agromaterial that will protect vegetable plants from low temperatures. Shelter is built directly above the bed, all planted plants are covered. From the sides, the covering material is fixed with stones, earth or other heavy objects so that gusts of wind cannot tear the shelter. nine0003 Any means at hand can be used for plant protection: cardboard boxes, straw mats, plastic bottles, board shields, ordinary earth. Potatoes during frosts can be piled up to the very top with earth, spread a layer of straw over the beds. Berry bushes and roses can be tied with burlap, peat or sawdust can be scattered between the bushes. Sometimes greenhouses cannot cope with the protection of landings from cold - they are insulated with pre-prepared straw mats. nine0003
Irrigation	It seems paradoxical that ice can protect against the cold, but this has been proven over the years. Sprinkling water over the beds with crops helps the formation of an ice crust, under which the plants are not threatened with frostbite.
Extraordinary watering	In case of a slight cold snap, extraordinary watering will help protect plants from frostbite. When water evaporates, a protective fog curtain is formed over the beds, inside which the temperature is higher than in the garden. This effect can be achieved over a large area by placing barrels filled with water on the site. nine0003

Epin treatment improves plant resistance to frostbite. This drug increases the immunity of vegetable crops, helping to endure temporary drops in temperature.

Published: 18 May 2020

Views: 11128

(Votes: 1, Rating: 5.0)

Share with friends:

new planting season. One of the main activities at this time is the preparation for return frosts. A sharp drop in temperature in May and early June is a common occurrence for Russian latitudes. The situation is dangerous because trees, shrubs, sown vegetables, planted flowers and berries can die from a cold snap. Heat-loving crops are especially affected. Consider how to protect plants from spring frosts. What to do to enjoy a rich harvest in the fall. nine0003

Which plants tolerate frosts more easily

Crop name	Low t withstand, o C
Peas, legumes, celery, garlic, parsnips	Seedlings are able to survive a drop in air temperature and on the ground down to -5 without consequences.
Raspberry bushes	Within 2-3 days, it will withstand the onslaught of frosts up to -3-4. On the third day, do something urgently. Otherwise, the bed cannot be saved.
Strawberries and strawberries	You will be able to survive the temperature drop to -9 painlessly.
Carrot, parsnip, parsley Radish, cabbage, horseradish Spinach, onion, rhubarb and sorrel	Able to withstand and not die when t drops to -5-6.
Blackberry, raspberry	Rarely affected by frost attacks. Saves shrubs late flowering.

Cold-sensitive crops

• Early flowering stone fruit, especially planted in lowlands, away from water bodies. Also weakened and sick specimens, which are the first to be at risk. nine0048
• Apricots, apples, plums and cherries are considered cold-sensitive. Also cherry, pear.
• Grapes, gooseberries and blueberries do not tolerate frost well.
• Easily freezes early planted seedlings of vegetable crops. These are eggplant, tomato and pepper grown from seeds.
• A sharp cold snap is detrimental to strawberries, strawberries, gourds. They begin to suffer from cold when the thermometer falls to -1 ^about C.
• Even if the berries grown from mustaches or seeds were strong, the consequences cannot be avoided. After freezing, the bushes stop growing, leave for a long time and painfully. But still, part of the crop can usually be saved. This is due to the fact that the culture has a fairly long flowering period. Even if the early flower buds suffer from the cold, fall off, after resuscitation, the plants will again throw out the flower stalks and delight with ripe berries.
• A number of heat-loving varieties of garden flowers also suffer from spring cold. Drop in air and soil t to -2 ^about C causes a halt in growth and development. As a result, even if the flowers do not die, flowering is still delayed by about 1.5-2 weeks.
• Perennial salvia and rose do not tolerate spring cold. Annuals dahlias, nasturtiums, chrysanthemums grown for seedlings from seeds of marigolds and zinnias. It is recommended not to rush to transfer them to the ground. It is better to wait until the threat of May frosts completely disappears.

Food for thought! The degree of susceptibility to sudden changes in temperature largely depends on what stage of blooming the buds are in. The ovaries withstand temperatures down to -1 ^o C. The buds fall already at a frost of -3 ^o C. Blossoming buds die at -3.3-3.5 ^o C. Blossoming buds darken and fall off if it gets colder to -2 ^o C. In the flowering stage, plants become the weakest, most susceptible. Fruits will not set if a fading tree, bush or flower had to survive a frost of up to -1.5 are no longer scary. However, it is not. nine0003

• First of all, there are regions in Russia where the spring is long, and the years are short, not coming soon.
• Secondly, today the climate is changing rapidly. Even the southern regions are not immune from sudden changes in temperature, night cooling.

What is a return frost? This is when at night the temperature drops for a certain time, falling to 0 ^about C. Basically, such surprises occur at night or in the early morning, before sunrise. nine0003

How to protect the beds, especially those that are sensitive to cold? There is a set of measures that have proven useful and effective in practice:

Event	How to organize, conduct
Mulching	Ideal for garden beds. Use organic matter as mulch: dried grass, straw or compost. nine0048 Beds and seedlings leaning towards the ground are covered with natural covering material. Mulching helps conserve heat by reducing soil heat transfer and increasing moisture above the soil surface. When to line? Best in the evening, after watering. For greater effect, a layer of agrofibre should be laid on top of the organic mulch carpet. Then the beds will not be afraid of any frost.
Hilling	Mostly used for potatoes. Armed with a chopper, it is necessary to form mounds around each bush. Cover the sprouts with leaves well. The thickness of the soil layer should be approx. 8-10 cm.
Covering materials	A simple and effective way to save almost any vegetable garden. It consists in creating a mini-greenhouse from special covering materials, any bottles, boxes and containers that are at hand. nine0003 beds are covered with spunbond or polyethylene film. Blooming strawberries and strawberries are covered with agrofiber, agrospan. Seedlings are covered with cut plastic containers: bottles, boxes, containers, caps, etc. Use any cardboard box as a covering. Cones and covering caps are made from cardboard and thick paper. To protect against frost, each bush can be covered with glass containers: jars, bottles, bottles, any other containers. nine0048 To protect ornamental shrubs, special covering materials or ordinary burlap are used. Medicinal plants sown in the soil are protected by covering the seedlings with cut plastic bottles, buckets, disposable cups. Any type of shelter will reliably protect the beds from harmful contact with the outside world. Important! When constructing any protective devices, using covering materials and containers, try to keep them less in contact with the leaves, tops of plants. Therefore, mini-greenhouses are built for relatively tall seedlings, young bushes and trees. nine0003 The frame is first formed from bent metal pipes. The length of the sections is at least 45 cm. Any non-woven material or film is then attached to the structure. Preferably 2-3 coats. The number of layers will directly depend on the degree of the predicted degree of cooling. Only use transparencies! Black and any dark ones will not let heat through to the roots of seedlings.
Fertilizer spraying	Preparing potassium-phosphorus top dressing. Take 75 g of double superphosphate for 1.5 l of hot water. The mixture is infused for 3.5-4 hours. After the solution is filtered, diluted in 15 liters of water. Add 30 g of potassium nitrate to the finished composition. The resulting mixture is sprayed on trees, shrubs, flowers and other horticultural crops a day before the predicted frost. nine0003
Root applications	Landings are watered at the roots with fertilizer solutions with a high content of potassium, phosphorus. Top dressing will help if they are applied 10-11 hours before the frost hits.
Smoke	The easiest way, but has some peculiarities. The essence is as follows: Fires are lit on the leeward side of the site. Based on each hundred square meters, one. Bonfire size: width up to 1.3-1.5 m, height - not less than 0.5-0.7 m. They set fire to everything that smolders well: straw, dry branches and leaves, cut grass, etc. The fire is kindled in advance with the expectation that the strongest frosts occur in the early morning. Maintain smoldering by checking if there is heat. Smoke creates a curtain, an obstacle between the cold and plants, warms the air by several degrees. What are the features of the method? It will help with frosts not lower than -4 about C. This method of protection can cause indignation of the neighbors if the smoke is blown into their garden. nine0003
Sprinkler or irrigation	The method is more convenient, more efficient than sprinkling, therefore it is considered quite popular. To do this, you need a hose with a nozzle for watering. Ideal if the site has a stationary irrigation system with sprinklers. What are they doing. A few hours before the expected frost, irrigate the plants. They do it late at night, since in most cases the most severe frosts occur before dawn. nine0048 What does it do? The moisture that has fallen on the seedlings at minus begins to actively evaporate. As a result of active evaporation, the air around is warmed up, not allowing the cold to fall close to the ground, where the roots of the plants are. The method is effective, it saves even in cases when it gets colder to the mark of -5-7 about C. The main thing is to water a few hours before the cold snap. Otherwise, the moisture will begin to evaporate early, all efforts will be nullified.
Heavy or wet irrigation	The method is applicable to any plant, eg seedlings from vegetable seeds, young and mature berries, etc. But it is especially effective for shrubs and trees. Up to 5-10 buckets of warm water heated up to +10 o C are poured under each tree or bush. Treat crops additionally by irrigation or sprinkling. nine0048 The protection method works similarly to the previous one. Moisture begins to evaporate, warms the air and prevents plantings from freezing.
Green manures	Green manure seeds are sown in advance between rows, in areas where vegetables, flowers, berries, any heat-loving varieties are planted. Green manure with a living wall will protect plantings from extreme temperatures. After, when warm weather sets in, they are cut off, leaving between the rows like mulch. nine0003
Landing planning	Stone fruit trees are capricious, they react negatively to lower temperatures. It is recommended not to plant them in the lowlands, where it is always 2-3 about C colder than in the rest of the territory. Before transshipment of vegetable seedlings in open ground, it must be hardened off. During the day, take out to the street, at night - the house. In general, do not rush to plant vegetables in the garden. Wait until warm weather sets in. Otherwise, the plants can not be saved. nine0048 When choosing seeds for shrubs and trees, vegetables, flowers and other crops, choose varieties that are suitable for the climate in your area. Today, most breeders have such seed. A striking example is the seeds "Gavrish" and "Agroelita".

Weatherman himself

It's good to be interested in the weather forecast, but we all know that meteorologists often make mistakes. Not because they are incompetent. It's just that often they give out data not for a single region or city, but in general, for the region. That is why the weather varies so much in individual places located in the same region. What to do? Learn on your own, determine what the weather will be like in the coming days. Become a weather forecaster and do everything to prevent freezing of plants. nine0003

Nature and folk wisdom will help

nine0065

The threat has passed. There will be no more cold snaps and frosts.

Sign, natural phenomenon	What will happen (probable course of events)
Early spring, warm first half of the season	In May, there is a great threat of cooling. Moreover, a significant drop in temperature is likely to occur closer to the end of May, beginning of June.
Early spring, warm	Expect return frosts May 1-5, 15-20. In addition to freezing of the soil, wet snow is possible.
Warm during the day, cold in the evening	Wait for cold weather if a sharp drop in temperature occurs against the background of such factors: cloudless, clear sky; calm, calm weather; nine0048 dry air and lack of morning dew. The probability is especially high if at 19:00-20:00 the temperature begins to drop sharply, and by 21:00 the thermometer already shows +3-4 about C.
Moon yellow like a head of cheese	Expect frost in the air and on the ground.
Sparrows sit silently, ruffled and hiding their tails. nine0003	High chance of rain with sleet. The cold will come soon.
The weather is cloudy, but it clears up closer to the night	Cooling will be for sure.
The fish does not bite and goes to the depth	A sharp cold will come in a day.
The frogs have stopped croaking, they are silent	There will be a cold snap, frosts on the ground.
Water lilies on ponds raised leaves	No more cold weather. You can start planting heat-loving crops, sowing seeds of flowers and vegetables in open ground.
Viburnum blooms in a riotous color
Red willow blossoms	The earth is ripe, there will be no sharp drops in temperature. It's time to go to the field, sow the soil.
Willow and aspen blossomed	It's time to sow carrot seeds in the garden. At the same time it is already possible to sow: parsley, dill; radish, radish; turnips and onions.
Maple blossoms	It's time to plant the beet seeds.
Lilac and rowan blossoms	It's time to sow cucumber seeds outdoors. Plant seedlings: eggplant; tomatoes; nine0048 pepper; physalis.
It's time for cherry plum, cherry and blackthorn to blossom	Time to sow corn seeds outdoors.
The cuckoo has flown in and is calling	Heat-loving crops can be sown outdoors.
Oak blossomed	It's time to sow peas.
Three frosts in May	When bird cherry blossoms, when apricot blossoms, the temperature drops especially when oak blossoms.

This is interesting! The people noticed. If March is dry, April is damp, and May is cold, expect a rich harvest in autumn.

Calculations help predict the weather

In one of the issues of the magazine "Country Secrets" a note was published by our compatriot, an experienced gardener Yu. M. Alekseev. Based on personal experience, he told how you can determine whether there will be frost in May.

• To do this, you need an ordinary outdoor thermometer, which is hung out in a shady place where the sun hardly gets.
• To predict changes in the weather, you need to fix the thermometer readings at 13:00 (afternoon) and at 21:00 (evening). nine0048
• After you need to find the difference between the received numbers.
• Check the final number with the data given in the table.
• Thus, to find out how likely the threat of the return of frost is.

Factors affecting forecast accuracy

Forecast accuracy depends on a number of weather factors. They focus on changes that occur mainly in the evening or at night. What factors indicate that there will be no cooling, even if the thermometer shows otherwise:

• The wind increased, became gusty and cold.
• Cloudiness has sharply increased.
• Clouds of fog came out of nowhere.
• Dew fell on the grass and leaves of the trees.

Good to know! In cities, on hills covered with vegetation, the ambient temperature is usually 2-3 ^about higher than in hilly areas and in lowlands.

If the seedlings and seedlings are still frozen

Unfortunately, not all crops will be able to survive the cold snap. Even strong plants sometimes cannot stand frost and freeze slightly. What to do in this case? Is it possible to somehow revive the garden and vegetable garden?

• It is recommended to wrap seedlings, frozen trees and shrubs with hay, straw or rags. They will warm up, slowly thaw. There is hope that they will fully recover.
• Frozen seedlings and crops will help save the following method. In the morning, before sunrise, spray the damaged plants with a solution, where 2 g of boron, potassium permanganate and copper were thrown into 10 liters of water. Spray completely every bush! The water should be cold, not warm. nine0048
• Experienced gardeners advise to fluff up frost-bitten beds, water the root zone of damaged plants with a weak solution of complex fertilizers. This method is good for grapes. And the tomatoes will help, albeit partially. Frozen tops are unlikely to come to life, but with 100% certainty we can say that powerful side shoots will grow.
• Wait a day after the frost, then water the bed with tomatoes and cabbage with water at room temperature. How much to pour? Under each bush 1 liter. Before watering, it is recommended to trim the damaged tops and leaves to a healthy, undamaged tissue. nine0048
• One day after watering, spray frozen seedlings with any growth activator. Suitable Kornevin, Epin, Epin-extra, Heteroauxin or analogues. Prepare the spray mixture strictly according to the instructions on the package. How much will be needed? Based on the calculation of 75-100 ml for each bush. The same solution is recommended to water the soil near the plants. Pour about 175-200 ml under each seedling.
• After 3-4 days, it is recommended to make top dressing from 10 liters of water, where 1 tbsp. l. urea. nine0048
• After about a week, 8-9 days, feed the affected crops with a top dressing with a high content of potassium. The solution is prepared based on 10 liters of water 1 tbsp. l. fertilizers. Under each bush, approximately 175-200 ml is poured.
• If frosts have affected potato seedlings, it is also worth trimming the tops and leaves to living tissue.

  ---

  Learn more

  • 
    Neutral decor ideas
  • 
    Best interior design 2023
  • 
    Great ideas for small bathrooms
  • 
    How to keep flower bouquet alive
  • 
    Sensory garden designs
  • 
    Warm neutral living room ideas
  • 
    Living room color palettes ideas
  • 
    California style bedroom ideas
  • Flowering landscape bushes
  • 
    Dale earnhardt jr key west
  • 
    Beautiful shower curtains ideas