Will if FROST or FREEZE and how to prepare:
Will it frost or freeze? How to protect plants from chilly autumn temps:
Frost occurs when the temperatures are still above freezing but the dew point causes ice crystals to form from moisture in the air. Freeze occurs when temperatures fall below freezing for an extended period of time. For gardening purposes, I like to remember these key facts about forecasting frost and freeze for my fall garden:
-If the weather calls for clear skies, no wind, and temperatures a few degrees above 32 F then FROST is likely
-Windy conditions or precipitation can prevent FROST from forming.
-FROST is more likely to impact plants that are closer to the ground. Notice how the grass next to your garden is likely to have more frosty ice crystals on it than taller garden plants.
-FREEZE occurs on windy OR calm nights when the temperatures are below freezing for a period of time.
-FREEZE is more difficult to protect plants from, so let's focus here on how to protect plants from FROST.
Late spring and early autumn are frost-prone seasons in the garden. Frosts will happen sporadically so if you can see your tender plants through a few frosts you can extend your growing season. We've already had our first frost here in southern Idaho. Even when we have crops we still want to mature, we've come to regard the first frost as no biggie because we have some simple steps to get us through. Use these tips in your garden to lengthen your season by weeks or even months:
1. If forecasted conditions make frost appear likely, water the garden to get the soil wet. Wet soil will hold onto heat much better than dry soil. This really makes a difference!
2. Use sheets or row cover to cover tender plants at dusk. Sheets and row cover hold in the heat the soil has absorbed during the day, creating a little greenhouse effect. Use things you have around the house like sheets and light blankets, but know that fabric protection is much more effective than plastics like tarps (with the exception of clear plastic that has allowed heat in all day and trapped it).
3. Observe what happened by going out at the coldest time of night, typically right before the sun rises. This will allow you to learn about the different micro climates in your garden and allow you to better predict the next frost event. THIS STEP IS CRUCIAL as broad forecasts for your area may or may not apply when it comes to your specific garden location. Mini frost pockets and banana belts are all around us and really effect what we grow and where!
