The Fear is Real, but more so a PITA
While it might not be so much a "fear" of frost, we PA gardeners know it is definitely a PITA for us. We hit May and Mother's Day and feel we're in the clear, only to have one last late May frost come down and disrupt the garden high we're on this time of year.
Mother's Day They Always Say
The old agricultural adage "Don't plant until Mother's Day" is one by which many of us spent our lives abiding. However, we have also seen some very unseasonable seasons as of late, and our ability to predict the outcome of our garden's success has gone out the window, so to speak.
With a non-traditional winter snowfall for many of us, we are already guessing at the level of moisture in our soil. You can read more about this winter's bizarre outcome here. And while soil temps reached a significant warmth in the earlier days of spring, and we began putting out our tender seedlings, we could still have been thrown into a panic when a late May frost was predicted.
Local Temps in late May
For my local friends, we saw temps ranging from the high 30's to mid 40's while those farther west and north of us, saw even lower temps. Philly at 45 degrees, Reading at 39 degrees, and Allentown at 34 degrees. Stroudsburg and Hazelton dipped down into the high 20's.
I follow Pennsylvania Weather Action, LLC online and am never disappointed. On a positive note though, he shared that this was the coldest morning we'll have until about Halloween! Woohoo for us dirt lovers!
What Temps are Dangerous to Vegetables?
Why is frost dangerous?
Frost injures plants when water in the plant cells turn into ice crystals, which disrupts the movement of fluids and damages plant tissues (ruralsprout.com).
Should I Cover My Seedlings?
If the temperature drops to a critical low for your newly planted seedlings (that you likely spent a pretty penny on OR grew inside for the last few months), then yes, I would try to protect them. There are few traditional ways that work wonders such as frost blankets. Those who try to make the most of the possible gardening season invest in small hoops to grow in greenhouse tunnels. On the more expensive side, there are frost guards you can place over seedlings that have matured and stand higher.
When you research DIY protecting ideas, you'll see everything from bubble wrap and tomato cages to plastic mild containers and soda bottles. I have used plastic dark trash bags, but ONLY when they could be removed immediately in the morning or when the temps rise. Do not keep plastic over the plants. I have also used old sheets, pillow cases, and so on...
Other Ways to Protect Your Seedlings
Mulch is another good way to protect your garden! Here are some things I've used before with success.
1. Compost - whether you make your own, get from a farm friend, or purchase, composted organic matter provides not only protection, but also rich nutrients for your vegetables.
2. Grass Clippings - if you don't have dogs, treat with chemicals, etc., your own lawn can be a great asset in protecting and adding to your garden.
3. Black Plastic/Fabric - while not everyone's favorite simply because it is unappealing, black plastic can insulate the ground and help manage weeds. I have found more success using this in my walkways and close to the plants, but not actually as a mulch for the plants. And remember that darker plastics will attract heat, while lighter colored ones will keep plants cooler.
4. Straw - sadly the cost of bales has increased, but straw is still a great asset to the garden. It can prevent frost heaving and be useful in spring and fall gardens. I use straw for potatoes and a few other things as well. Make sure it is NOT hay, and that your straw is from a reputable farmer/dealer to avoid additional weeds.
5. Pine Needles - if you live near or frequent the woods, taking some time to gather pine needles can be a cost efficient way to insulate your plants. Pine needles help to acidify your garden but turn neutral as they decompose.
6. Newspaper - though harder to come by in this digital age, newspaper is a great old-school friend for gardeners. If you can get a hold of enough, it can be used in various ways to help in the garden and on the homestead. Click here to learn more.
What to Avoid?
Avoid wood-based mulches that will consume nitrogen from your garden (unless you have a surplus of chicken poop compost to counterbalance it).
Avoid large piles of leaves (unshredded) like you add in the fall for winterizing, as these will be too dense and will lock in moisture and rot.
Lastly, avoid hay as mentioned and any clear plastics.
What about Seedlings?
I always wait until the ground temp is at a solid 68-70 degrees before planting seedlings. They best germinate between 68-80 degrees.
No comments:
Post a Comment