Winter is coming… or possibly going depending on your hemisphere.
As growers, we plant crops based on the seasons and local climate trends. However, weather isn’t always predictable. Unexpected, unseasonal cold snaps can decimate your late or early crops overnight.
Some plants handle cold temperatures and frost better than others, this is where knowing your plant hardiness and climate zones comes in handy – see our post on Australian Plant Hardiness and Climate Zones or review your own local climate information.
So you’ve selected appropriate plants for your climate but how can you help protect your vulnerable crops from sudden unseasonal frost?
Tips for fighting off frost
1. Watch the weather
Know which of your plants are most vulnerable to frost damage and keep an eye on the weather. Local weather reports often indicate frost warnings.
2. Move ’em
If plants are in small pots you can always bring them inside overnight.
3. Hydrate
Keep garden soil hydrated. Thoroughly water the soil (avoiding leaves or stems) a day or so prior to possible frost, this can help the soil retain heat. Plants are also less vulnerable to cold damage if they are healthy, so keep them happy!
4. Insulate
Insulate your garden with 5 to 7.5 centimetres (2 to 3 inches) of mulch. For low lying plants, you can temporarily cover them with hay to help protect them.
5. Cover up
Drive stakes into the ground around your garden beds and drape a blanket or sheets across the stakes to cover up your crops. Ensure the cover reaches to the ground and does not contact any of the plants, you can also place weights or soil on the edges of the cover to help keep it in place.
For small individual plants, you can cover them with a glass or similar container to create a barrier from the elements. When the sun rises and day warms up remember to remove covers so you’re plants can enjoy the sun.
6. Add a heat source
For additional frost protection, you can pamper your plants with hot water bottles overnight. Bury bottles or jugs of warm water into the mulch each night. This will help drive off some of the cold that can kill plant roots.