Saturday, March 28, 2009

Dealing with a spring frost

Just when you get your garden in the ground, a late spring frost comes through and kills all your plants. Its pretty disheartening to see fresh sprouts killed off. Its on of those "oh man" moments.

Save a few 2 liter bottles and 1 gallon milk jugs with the bottom cut out. Keep the jugs stored in a box of some kind out in the shed. When a frost comes through, take the jugs and put them over the plant the night before.

A year ago I remember hearing someone talk about leaving the caps on or taking them off the jugs. But I can not remember which one was best. Taking the caps off will let the plant breath. But could also let cold air into the jug.

Besides the jugs, have a few light duty plastic tarps or old sheets on hand. But, try not to let the plastic of cloth of the sheet touch the plant.

If the plants get a frost on them, wash them off with a water hose. I heard that it was better to wash the frost off, then to let it thaw. That when the frost thaws on its own, that is when the frost bite occurs on the plant.

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