What You Need To Know
- Frost damage is a common occurrence, especially in the beginning and end of the growing season
- Cloud cover, wind, and moisture are contributing factors to frost development
- Hardy and semi-hardy vegetables have different thresholds for surviving cold temperatures
- In a pinch, covering plants or even packing soil with straw can help minimize damage
What We Look For
It’s important as a grower or even a novice planter to know when conditions are favorable for a frost, specifically, a killing-frost. While temperatures in a city or urban area may stay a bit above freezing, suburbs oftentimes will be a few degrees colder under certain conditions.
Cloud cover: A cloudy forecast overnight? Great news! Clouds act like a blanket, trapping more of the heat produced during the daytime hours closer to the ground. Sometimes, just a partly cloudy sky can help save plants from temperatures that would have otherwise dipped into frost territory.
Moisture: When moisture condenses out of humid air, it can release enough heat to save plants and vegetables. When the air is dry, the moisture in the soil will evaporate, which requires heat. Not having to use that heat could save delicate crops.
Wind: A very light or calm wind can cause colder air to settle to the ground, with nowhere to go. Even a light breeze can help move slightly warmer parcels of air around enough to keep the temperatures near the ground a bit warmer.
Assessing the Damage
Frost damage occurs when ice forms inside the tissue of plants, injuring the cells inside. This happens within the protoplasm of the cells, called intracellular freezing.
Plants may be injured to a less extent when the ice forms within the plant, but outside the tissue (extracellular freezing). Whether a plant survives frost damage directly depends on how rapid the temperature cools, as well as the sturdiness of the plant itself.
Hardy vs. Semi-Hardy
Growers usually categorize vegetables into two groups: hardy and semi-hardy.
Semi-hardy vegetables can survive repeated light frosts in the 30–32 degree range. Celery, beets, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, parsnips, spinach, and swiss chard are a few examples.
Interestingly enough a few of these root vegetables, like parsnips, may actually benefit from a light frost, which can bring out their flavor once harvested.
Prevention is Key
Taking a few steps to prevent frost damage can substantially help minimize damage if a sudden burst of colder air occurs.
With delicate plants and flowers, try to grow them in a warm, sunny spot and closer to the foundation of a home. A south-facing wall may help provide even just a bit more warmth during the cooler seasons.
Mulching is another great way to not only protect plants, but also add a degree of aesthetics to your garden. Adding a layer or two can provide the extra warmth needed to withstand a frost or even a freeze.
Conclusion
In conclusion, frost is a natural occurrence that can impact crops and plants. Understanding the factors that contribute to frost development, such as cloud cover, wind, and moisture, can help growers and novice planters take the necessary steps to protect their crops. By classifying plants into hardy and semi-hardy categories, and taking preventive measures, the damage caused by frost can be minimized. Remember, prevention is key, and it’s essential to stay vigilant and monitor the weather to ensure a successful harvest.
FAQs
Q: What is frost?
A: Frost occurs when the surface of something cools below the dew point, causing ice crystals to form on the surface of plants, leaves, flowers, and vegetables.
Q: What are the main contributing factors to frost development?
A: Cloud cover, wind, and moisture are the main contributing factors to frost development.
Q: What are the differences between hardy and semi-hardy vegetables?
A: Hardy vegetables can survive temperatures as low as 20 degrees, while semi-hardy vegetables can survive repeated light frosts in the 30-32 degree range.
Q: How can I prevent frost damage to my crops?
A: By growing plants in a warm, sunny spot, using mulching, and covering plants or packing soil with straw, you can help minimize damage from frost.
