Worried About Dropping Temperatures? Here’s How You Can Take Action And Shield Your Crops From The Early Cold Snap
Now that it’s fall, we can count on the temperatures to take a dip, but sometimes, a particularly frosty spell catches us all off guard, causing us to dig out our jackets to protect ourselves against the chill.
The abrupt change in weather can inflict us with the sniffles and, just as quickly, devastate fall vegetable gardens. It’s around this time of year that gardeners hoping to cultivate an autumn harvest should be preparing for the colder months.
According to Farmers’ Almanac, the United States will be experiencing temperatures that are lower than average toward the end of September and into October. This will be followed by “a spell of cold and unsettled conditions in November and December.”
Unexpected cold snaps can be deadly to your fall garden, but if you stay ahead of the game, your crops can emerge from them unscathed. Here’s how you can take action and shield your vegetables from frost.
Move Plants To A Cold Frame
Transferring your plants to a cold frame will give them shelter from the cold while still letting sunlight in. A cold frame is a simple insulated outdoor structure built low to the ground and has a transparent roof.
It works much like a greenhouse, but unlike traditional greenhouses, it relies on solar energy to create a safe, warm environment for plants instead of gas or electric heat. When the weather warms up, you can easily take your plants out.
Use A Cloche
If you would rather have your delicate crops stay right where they are, invest in some cloches. A cloche is a bell-shaped cover you can place around a single plant. Not only does a cloche guard against frost, but it also can put a stop to birds and other animals from feasting on your crops.
Andrii Zastrozhnov – stock.adobe.com- illustrative purposes only, not the actual child
You can purchase plastic garden cloches, but certain household items, like milk jugs, can act as cloches. Cut off the bottom of a gallon-sized milk jug and nestle it into the soil over a plant.
Wrap Up Pots And Containers
Add insulation by draping old blankets, sheets, and towels over potted plants or a container garden. You can surround the outside of a pot with bubble wrap or fleece. Plus, you could cover plants with a burlap sack overnight and remove it during the day to let in air and sunlight.
If it’s windy, use heavy objects, such as stones and bricks, to anchor the fabric to the ground. And if you’re worried about precipitation, layer plastic sheets on top of the fabric.
Provide Support For Taller Plants
Fall is usually accompanied by rainier weather. Heavy rainfall combined with strong gusts of wind can wreak havoc on some of your taller vegetable plants. Give them extra support during harsher outdoor conditions by implementing wooden stakes or metal frames around them. Additionally, secure your plants with gardening twine to prevent breakage.
Raise Your Pots
To allow for better drainage during the wetter season, raise your pots so they don’t end up soaked with water. Use pot feet underneath your containers to help improve drainage and avoid frost damage.
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