I have been informed of very cold temps coming for next 3 nights (39F and below). On Sun. nite they said chance of frost! I have been putting a lot of veg. plants, annuals, perrenials, fruit plants & trees etc. outside, over last couple of weeks. Mostly in containers, but don't want them in the house (bugs or whatever). What's the best course of action? I'm guessing to bring them under the patio & my Fiance says to cover w/big garbage bags. Is this right? I'm very worried & didn't expect this, especially it being my 1st season gardening. Any suggestions would be extremely appreciated! Thanks in advance!
Help! Possible frost coming in East Texas....What to do?
sheets, blankets, pillow cases.. dont use plastic but anything cloth will work fine I have even been known to use a few towels and dont worry 39 will not hurt them but a frost will.
Welcome to Daves. I think your quit safe putting them under the patio. I ran out of sheets this year. Buckets, wheel barrel, wagons, lawn chairs, spare leaves...whatever I could get my hands on and turn over. Don't worry about squishing them, they'll bounce back, just don't snap stems. Welcome to world of gardening, it you lose something try not to take it so hard. Gardening always has it loses and will get better every year with experience. Good luck, stay warm.
Thank you Mitch! I would have used plastic, but I have lots of old sheets & pillow cases to use. But, wouldn't I worry about laying these right on plant and crushing them? Just a thought.
Wow Cocoa, you answered my question before I even posted it! Thank you & I appreciate the reassurance. My fiance says to put them up on the wheel barrow & inside garage and they'll be fine, but I'll still cover my babies. I know they will not all make it. I'll be fine. It's just that I would expect to be the one to ruin them, not the frost or nature! Ya know, my biggest tomato plant looked wilted today, from last nights low temp. Yet the tiny baby one, was fine! Go figure...!
Welcome Latelybloomin ~ everyone has given you good information.
The only thing I would add is even in sheltered areas up against the house will be beneficial. Your plants (even in pots) will actually still get warmth from the ground and what you drape over them will retain that warmth. More of a problem if the soil was still cold. I find it helps too if they are watered ~ all except succulents that is.
I won't say don't worry as I still worry too but will wish you good luck and hope to see you posting more often. Take care, pod
You all are great! Thank you so much. Now I feel re-assured & know I'm gettting good advice thanks to this website & all of you! Michelle
Hi latelybloomin77
Welcome to the group!!! and yep they are all right ..
I have my garden planted so am going to be pulling out all the sheets blankets and any thing else I have to cover things.
last time we had a frost and didn't' get Everything covered DH went out and watered things early in the morning that didn't' get covered and they seemed to be fine as the day went on but can't say that is best to do.
As for covering and breaking anything I try to lay sheets instead of blankets on things I worry about breaking and do it gently or take a stick and use that to keep it up off the plant yet covered.