Frost Protective Covers
Even though gardeners at YARA-GRCG are anxious to transplant their seedlings, I recommend waiting until after May 30th or protect them.
According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac the last day of frost for the Regina area is May 21st, but a closer look at the 14 Day Trend Weather Report shows another dip in the thermometer on May 29th and 30th. After that The Weather Network indicates a steady climb in temperature over the next two week period.
During the day, your plants and the soil absorb and store heat from the sun. As the day turns into night, your plants quickly begin to lose all of their stored heat. As the temperature drops, the moisture in the air condenses into dew, which then freezes when the temperature reaches a light freeze (29° to 32°F, or -2° to 0°C). At zero degrees, damage to most plants may be minimal, and only affect a leaf or two. However, if the temperature drops far enough for the plant cells to freeze, non-hardy plants will die.
Cold sensitive plants like tomatoes, squash and cucumbers require a covering to keep them frost free. The criteria for a protective cover for any plant is that it serves to insulate the plant from drops in temperature, while still letting the plant breathe. Most woven fabrics ranging from layers of newspaper to the old bedspread or bed sheets will collect the warmth the plant produces. In Regina, gardeners may need to add weight or ground stakes to hold the blankets in place during a strong wind.
- Hotcaps (also Kozy Coats, Wall O’Water, Garden Teepee) - Hotcaps are small covers that produce a warm, sheltered, humid environment ideal for plant growth. Each plant grows in its own hotcap until warm weather arrives or the plant outgrows its protective cover. The hotcaps protect against light spring frosts, allowing early planting.
- Floating Rowcovers – Recently, several new light weight, woven materials called horticultural fleece have been developed that may be applied directly over the crop without causing damage to the plants. Slack in the covers accommodates growth while the covers are in place. These “floating” rowcovers provide all of the benefits of the polyethylene tunnels without the expense and effort involved in constructing or maintaining the tunnels.
- Cold Frames - Cold frames are used mainly to protect crops and extend the growing season. They are also valuable for acclimatizing plants to lower temperatures (hardening off) prior to planting out.
- Cloches – There are many types of cloches; tent, barn, tunnel and bell etc but they all basically perform the same function. To protect seeds and plants from frost, heavy rain and birds. For warming and keeping the soil dry prior to seed sowing during the growing period. The benefit of using cloches to cold frames and other types of protection is that they are very portable.
- Row Cover – A row cover is a tunnel made of polyethylene used to grow plants that require a higher temperature and/or humidity than that which is available in the environment.
Springtime weather in Regina is unpredictable, so please take advantage of the links available below to encourage the best growing conditions for your investment.
For more information:
Phillip’s Garden Blog has a great photo of ‘Cloche Encounters’ at: http://philipsgardenblog.com/2008/03/14/cloche-encounters/
Check out this link to learn how to make your own garden cloche from recylced or reused items: http://www.ehow.com/how_6003998_make-cloche-recycled-reused-items.html
Make a mini greenhouse for your tender vegetable transplants, using plastic one gallon milk jugs. Simply remove and discard the cap and cut the bottom out completely following the natural square shape of the jug. I use a very sharp pointed knife to make a nice clean, even cut. Place the jug over the transplant, pushing down just enough to press the bottom about 1/2 inch into the soil. Use some soil mounded slightly all the way around the outside bottom to anchor the jug in place and keep it from blowing away.