Its mid October here in Saskatchewan. I still have potaotes to dig from the garden. The temps have been cold . . .down to minus 9 degrees celcius (16F) at night and only as high as 5 (41F) degrees celcius in the day. Are the potaoes ruined now? or will the ground have protected them from the frost?
What is the lowest temperature they can tollerate before harm is done?
2006-10-13 07:29:42 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
Well I dug the potatoes today. . .and some were visibly covered in frost, even being under ground 4 or 5 inches. So those I put in a seperate box.
The majority showed no signs of frost and were solid, not mushy. We have them drying in the garage now. So in 3 or 4 days we will see what condition they are in.
2006-10-13 16:22:17 · update #1
I dunno know. I'm assuming the tops had already died back? Since soil is somewhat an insulator and this was the first front (???), there's a chance they may be OK. Especially the lower down spuds, those near the top may be frozen. Dig, feel, and cut into them.
If the cold did penetrate, yeah, all are gonners.
If you tend to procrastinate about harvesting, keep the carrots in the ground, they at least can tolerate the cold.....with mulch.
2006-10-13 07:57:26 · answer #1 · answered by fluffernut 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The potatos themselves are most likely OK. I don't think that can be said for the vines. The frost probably killed them. The potatos will cease to get nourishment. I'd did them up before rot.
2006-10-13 08:05:12 · answer #2 · answered by bugear001 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bad news....The taters are prolly ruined. Frost alone will not hurt them but, the freezing ground temp will. Sorry for your loss.
2006-10-13 07:35:25 · answer #3 · answered by vernon1766 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋