social

Preparing Your Garden for the First Frost

October 8, 2009

frosted leavesFor gardeners in most zones, the end of the growing season is signaled by the onset of the first frost. No matter when it arrives, it always seems painfully early. To avoid damage to your plants, it helps to understand the conditions under which it forms, how it affects different plants, and what actions you need to take when the first frost is in the forecast.

Advertisement

How Frost Damages Plants

Species, age, overall health, and location are all factors that affect frost damage. The primary factor, however, is the internal temperature within the plant's tissues. When internal temperatures become too cold, fluids within the plant's cells freeze and rupture, damaging surrounding tissues. Cool weather before frost (like falling afternoon temperatures) is more likely to result in damage, because the plant's internal tissues are already lower to begin with.

Conditions that Favor Frost

Frost occurs when air temperatures fall below 32F To form, conditions have to be just right.

Plants Most at Risk

Garden Locations Most Susceptible

Effective Means of Protection

If frost is predicted, you can protect your plants in a number of ways.

Dealing with Frost Damaged Plants

Click here to find the average first frost date in your area: http://www.farmersalmanac.com/home_garden/a/average_frost_dates

Comment Pin it! Was this helpful? Yes

Comments

October 9, 20090 found this helpful

To extend my harvest I have bottles of water all over my garden, gallon milk jugs, 2 liter soda bottles, etc. As the sun comes out each day it warms the water in the bottles and lets it out at night while it's cold, so far so good!

Advertisement

Even my okra is continuing to produce in the cold Oregon fall, now if only the deer would let me keep some leaves on it I'd be set! Cold usually settles to the lowest point & I think it helps that my garden is raised 2 feet off the ground as well.

Reply Was this helpful? Yes

Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 231 Feedbacks
October 9, 20090 found this helpful

I still have plants to get into the ground and they are calling for near frost this weekend. Help!

Reply Was this helpful? Yes
September 11, 20210 found this helpful

I live in gardening area 5b according to various maps. I live in a deep valley, so I prepare as if I am in a much colder area. Local tv gives a cold nighttime temp I subtract 8-10 degrees from that. For m6 garden!

Reply Was this helpful? Yes
Categories
Home and Garden Gardening AdviceFebruary 27, 2016
Pages
More
🎄
Christmas Ideas!
🎉
New Years Ideas!
Facebook
Pinterest
YouTube
Instagram
Contests!
Newsletters
Ask a Question
Share a Post
Categories
Better LivingBudget & FinanceBusiness and LegalComputersConsumer AdviceCoronavirusCraftsEducationEntertainmentFood and RecipesHealth & BeautyHolidays and PartiesHome and GardenMake Your OwnOrganizingParentingPetsPhotosTravel and RecreationWeddings
Published by ThriftyFun.
Desktop Page | View Mobile
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Contact Us
Generated 2022-12-07 19:10:05 in 3 secs. ⛅️️
© 1997-2022 by Cumuli, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
https://www.thriftyfun.com/Preparing-Your-Garden-for-the-First-Frost.html