Chance of frost

It is mid-May and well past the time for the last chance of frost for my area. But, this morning I woke up to hear the bad news on the radio: "frost advisory for tonight...temperatures in the low 30's". ARGH! Not the weather I want to hear, especially after just giving away all my extra plants. 

Nonetheless, there is a lesson to be learned here...

In the spring and fall, it pays to keep any eye on the nighttime temperature forecast. By monitoring temperatures at the beginning and end of the gardening season, you will have a chance to protect temperature sensitive plants and vegetables from frost.

Plants are classified according to the minimum temperature they can tolerate:

• Hardy - plants that can withstand a hard frost
• Examples: broccoli, cabbage, garlic, peas, radish, turnips 

• Semi-hardy - plants that can withstand a light frost
• Examples: beets, carrots, cauliflower, lettuce, parsley, potatoes

• Tender - plants that can be killed or injured by a light frost
• Examples: beans, corn, cucumbers, squash, tomatoes

• Very tender - plants that cannot tolerate cold weather or soil
• Examples: eggplant, peppers, watermelon

A light frost occurs at temperatures between 28-32oF. A hard frost occurs at temperatures below 28oF. 

Luckily the temperatures for tonight are not expected to dip below 32oF, so a "light frost" is probably the worst that can happen. 

Tomato plants all warm and cozy (hopefully)

I have taken a couple of measures to help prevent frost damage. This evening, I watered the soil thoroughly to help insulate the hardy and semi-hardy vegetables from frost. Wet soil holds heat better than dry soil, thereby protecting roots and warming air near the soil. 

For the tender vegetables, I covered the plants with a lightweight garden fabric. The idea is to create a tunnel to trap heat that is radiating from the ground. It is important to remember to remove the covers the next day to allow the sun to warm the soil and to prevent the temperatures under the "blanket" from getting too hot.

Luckily I haven't planted the very tender vegetables in the garden yet. I would have covered very tender plants with a double layer of a lightweight garden fabric (or a single layer of medium-weight fabric) or used plastic sheeting to create a mini-greenhouse.  

Alas, we are at the mercy of the mother nature. Whatever happens, happens.

Tonight I will also cover up to keep warm and cross my fingers and toes that the weatherman got the weather all wrong...again.