Changing Temperatures
It is springtime in my area and that means it is time to start getting my cool weather crops into the soil! My average last frost in my area is May 15th.
That is 6 weeks from now, but if you are planting cool weather crops, it is imperative to get them into the soil early. I can assure you that I will have to protect my plants from a frost several times in the next 6 weeks.
Spring and fall can bring unpredictable temperatures. It is important to keep an eye on the weather to watch for freezing temperatures in your area. When they do occur, here are 5 ways that your can protect your plants.
5 Ways To Protect Your Plants
In this post, I am going to give you 5 different methods that you can use to protect your plants!
1. Use a fitted Sheet. I love this idea. I use a fitted sheet that fits tightly to my raised bed so I don’t have to worry about the wind blowing it off!
2. Use a glass mason jar. I have so many mason jars free for use right now. For your more delicate plants, gently place the jar over the plant and work the jar slightly into the soil to help it stay in the soil.
3. Use a plastic milk jug for your slightly larger plants. Make sure you dig the jug into the soil a bit so that the wind doesn’t blow it off.
4. Use empty pots to protect your plants. Right now I have so many empty pots in my garage because it isn’t quite time for container planting yet. Utilize these unused pots to protect your plants.
5. Use a plastic cup to cover up young plants. Again, be sure to dig the plastic cup into the soil a bit so that the cup doesn’t blow away if it is windy.
Share Your Thoughts
Do you have a favorite way to protect your plants?
Dawn Miller says
May 11, 2013 at 10:06 amwhat have you planted so far?
Tracy Carver says
May 11, 2013 at 12:28 pmHaven’t even gotten to till the garden yet!
Whole Lifestyle Nutrition says
May 11, 2013 at 1:44 pmDawn I have planted a lettuce bed, my sugar snap peas, some edible flowers, herbs, stevia, and strawberries (4 varieties). I have a lot more to plant come June. I will be covering my plants tonight and tomorrow b/c of a freeze advisory. It is cold!!
Julie says
September 1, 2014 at 5:37 pmI live in central florida and we get frost occasionally. I have a raised bed garden on legs. I did the PVC over the top I then put heavy plastic over the PVC it looks like a green house. But the bad part is everything froze inside. It should not have froze inside. Any suggestions why the plants froze inside the tent?
Halle Cottis says
September 2, 2014 at 8:41 amThat seems a bit odd that everything froze. I plant when it is below freezing and sometimes the temperatures fall below 0ºF and I still have no issues. I would try a thicker grade of plastic next time and see if that helps. Also, make sure no air is getting in or escaping.