hoar is the libertine way to have a garden go from a great start or lavish harvest home to double-dyed destruction literally overnight . It ’s the declamatory non - pestilence kill crops worldwide . Many farmers and fruit cultivator are beholden to ice and lose entire crop and seasons to it when it freakishly appears late or early . Luckily , there are ways to void frost .
Every twelvemonth , the first frost ( called “ last hoar ” ) happens at a experience prison term . This is plotted using moon phases and days from solstice and is presage in almanac . Most growers assume that the last freeze date in the spring will be inside about a week ’s window of the prediction . So if last frost is predicted to be on May 17 in your area , it could actually bump anywhere between May 10 and May 24 . Most gardener project to start plant outdoors around May 24 or so in that case . It gives a overnice safety zone .
Similarly , the first hoarfrost ( foretell the “ stamp out frost ” ) happens sometime recently in the decline . Again , almanacs foretell it and most gardener assume a week windowpane around it . So they ’ll endeavor to have all of their harvest in before the calendar week of the killing frost ’s date .
Of course , sometimes freak weather find and an unexpected Robert Frost will happen . shrewd gardeners will be pass over the conditions and know it ’s coming and gear up for it . There are several way to protect young plants from a late frost .
Preventing Frost Damage in the Vegetable Garden
One of the chinchy and onetime way is to mulch over and around the industrial plant when the weather is going to reverse . Sometimes this is done heavily around the roots , potentially sacrifice new ontogeny leaves , but saving the plant . Other times , the plants are literally lay to rest , risking crushing the new plants .
Another option is to use low-spirited tunnels to hold the heat in overnight , to cover the works in a tarp ( as a interchangeable safeguard ) , and to habituate specialized auspices apparatus like water supply tugboat , etc . Cold frame and standardized tools can also be built to beat the frost and extend harvest or begin embed betimes .
If an other freeze is come , just before things are mature , many gardeners will just reap “ unripened ” everything that they can mature ( or use ) off the plant . Tomatoes can be glean and used green ( and sometimes ripened in a paper sacking ) , for example , as can some cucumber varieties and most lettuce and related to plant .
Many plant are tolerant to illume frost and will even thrive in the cooler conditions . These are preferred spill planting or former planting options to broaden the growing season without special equipment .
Frost Tolerant Fruits and Vegetables
Here are somecold temperature tolerant plant : beans , cucumbers , eggplants , gumbo , peppercorn , pumpkin , squash , unfermented corn , sweet potato , and watermelon .
Here are somesemi - unfearing plantsthat can tolerate a light frost ( just under 36 degrees for a couple of hours ): beets , carrots , cauliflower , Apium graveolens dulce , endive , lettuce , parsnip , potato , and salsify .
lastly , stalwart plantsthat can stand a hard Robert Frost and are potential picks for fall planting : broccoli , brussels sprout , cabbage , kale , mustard Green , onion plant , pea , radish , spinach , and white turnip .
Planning ahead and understanding how to plant when cold weather is setting in can mean stimulate a second harvest out of your garden every year !
Want to learn more about how to avoid frost with vegetable gardens?
Check out these great resources : Protecting Your Garden from Frost : vital low temperature for Frost Damage to Vegetablesfrom The Old Farmer ’s AlmanacGetting Ready for Frost
