Frost warning this weekend...how do I protect my garden?

Question

The temp is supposed to drop to near freezing this weekend, how do I protect my garden? It's been in the 70's and 80's since Feb here, so I planted my garden thinking it would be safe. I have 2 tomato plants, 2 pepper plants, some herbs, and a bunch of green bean plants. It's only going to be bad Sat and Sunday, and not a real hard freeze, lows are supposed to be about 32. Can I just throw a plastic drop cloth (thin plastic) over the plants? Any ideas are appreciated.

Answer 1

Placing a product called "Row Cover" over the plants will add 6 degrees. It is white and breathes. You can leave it on for days at a time. Spraying another product called "Cloud Cover" on your plants adds 3 degrees. That should protect them. I get these products at my local hardware stores.

Answer 2

Yes just cover the plants until the temp rises during the day. Don't leave the plastic on them long or it will burn the plants.
I been down this road sever times and the best thing to do is to wait til about the second week in April before planting. It will save you a lot of trouble. If the ground freezes you might as well get ready to replant. If the plant / seeds live they will have a hard time growing and it will damage your harvest.

Answer 3

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RE:
Frost warning this weekend...how do I protect my garden?
The temp is supposed to drop to near freezing this weekend, how do I protect my garden? It's been in the 70's and 80's since Feb here, so I planted my garden thinking it would be safe. I have 2 tomato plants, 2 pepper plants, some herbs, and a bunch of green bean plants. It's...

Answer 4

Better lay off the plastic, any place it touches the plant it will freeze. And you can`t hardly get up early enough the next morning to remove it, if the sun is shining. It will scald and kill the plants.
If it is not suppose to get too cold, I do nothing but get up early and hose them down good, wash the frost off, I know it sounds nuts but it works. Below 27 F, its best to cover the plants. I have 6 old bed sheets and a couple of sheet blankets I use. I use what ever is handy to hold them down. Dirt, Clods first, then brick, Rocks, and half in re bar tomato stakes.

Answer 5

Rake some leaves over top of them and clear it out during the warmer part of the day. If you have small enough plants milk jugs will work. I dont recommend putting plastic directly on the plants as the plastic will get cold and contact will hurt the plants. Build a frame then lay plastic. Either way good luck.

Answer 6

Cover with news paper and you'll be fine. Tent the news paper over the plants. You can also use a sprinkler. Let it run threw the night. Plastic is not a good ideal, it makes like a refrigerator. It will be colder under the plastic then it is on the outside. Boxes can be used also or Styrofoam cone plant covers.

Answer 7

definitely cover them....I'm was out late last night using all my clay pots and buckets to cover the larger plants....if using plastic, remove during the day. a regular bed sheet works well if you want to leave something on during the day, as it allows some light to penetrate. Sounds like you are in Zone #5...like me...I know it's hard some years when we have an early spring, but wait til the second or third week in April to plant. If you want early spring growth, go for bulbs (tulips, hyacinth, daffodils, crocus) They enjoy the cool weather. Also, pansies can be planted in pots and will take a lot of cool weather and offer alot of color....good luck

Answer 8

A guy I use to know swears by getting up before the sun hits the plants and spraying them with the garden hose. He says it prevents frostbite. I never tried it because I am not a 'before sunrise' kind of girl.

Now I don't now if this is going to work if it freezes.......32 is an iffy stage..if it goes to 30 I think adding a little prayer with the coverings is your best bet.

Answer 9

In a pinch, a tarp or white bed sheet will work, but you have to be sure to use stakes to hold the sheeting slightly above, not touching, your plants.

You can also use milk jugs or soda bottles with the bottoms cut off as others have suggested if you have enough lying around.

Good luck, I hope it works out for you :)

Answer 10

I think the plastic drop cloth would work. I've seen other people use them. You can ask at your local nursery/garden center to be absolutely sure. Good luck.