* Cover plants at night. This acts like insulation, keeping warm air from the ground around the plant . Some gardeners don't take the risk and would rather deal with a shorter growing season by putting out tender annuals well after the threat of frost. When temperatures dip below 32 degrees, you will find me wearing warm socks, slippers, a sweater, and cardigan when I'm indoors. The cover needs to be in place before the temperature is below freezing and removed in the morning if it is not a permanent row cover. For added protection, you can nestle gallon jugs of warm water into the mulch each night. It will kill the top growth of most perennials and root crops. The most tender plants like okra, eggplants, squash, watermelons, cucumbers, and peppers, however, can't tolerate even a light freeze or a cold spell, and can be dead by morning if left exposed. Even in spring, late frosts will not be fatal, the plant will lose some foliage (or all), but the rhizome will remain alive. You should therefore fix watering times during the coolest moments of the day, for example early in the morning or at sunset, when the sun doesn't fall on the plants directly and you can make better use the water. I've written a lot more details below of what temperatures . Plants at 39 degrees can . Wait until the ice thaws, then assess the plant damage. This has the added bonus of preventing the soil from freezing, so you can continue to harvest your crop. Understanding that critical temperatures are dangerous . I would put up some sticks or cages first, to hold coverings from squashing plants, then just cover the plants if possible. In general, the frost point for plants is around 28-degrees Fahrenheit. While most trees will suffer little damage from a frost, newly planted trees and trees such as citrus (Citrus spp.) Also Know, when should I cover my plants from the cold? While 32 degrees F is the lowest soil temperature most pepper plant species can tolerate, the best temperature for growing pepper plants is between 60 and 90 degrees F. This is because it is within this temperature range that most pepper plant varieties thrive. Annuals and Perennials Trust Avian Control. Should I cover my plants at 39 degrees? Cover the plants before dark to trap them in warm air and don't allow the coverings to touch the foliage. However, freezing conditions affect plants differently. What is the lowest temperature a plant can survive? Carrots. For smaller plants, a chair turned upside down over a plant and covered with a sheet can do the job. Dig up tender bulbs and store them in a cool dry place. Cabbage will grow at temperatures as low as 45 degrees and can tolerate high temperatures up to 80 degrees, but if it gets any warmer, cabbage will bolt. For cover, use textile, fabric, or burlap, not plastic so the plants can breathe. You can layer frost covers, depending on the degree of cold expected. Carrots can survive in frosts that go right down to 20°. At 32 degrees, damage to most plants may be minimal and only affect a small amount of leaves. As a cool-season plant, peas are actually damaged more by high temperatures than by cooler temperatures. But, besides me - frost-tender plants are also affected by the cold temperatures. Plants may need covering if there's a long period of 25-degree weather, but they. To be safe, protect your plants with tree guards or burlap before the temperature is consistently below 30 degrees. In many years, asparagus can get frosted with no problem at all. On the other hand, cold air is heavier than warm air and can sink to lower areas, causing frost damage. The amount of frost protection obtained varies with the weight and fiber arrangement of the row cover. Avoid frost pockets. Photo by Rebecca Finneran, MSU Extension. Cover cold sensitive plants when night time lows are expected to dip below 20 degrees F. Cover vegetable crops when temperatures are predicted to fall below the mid 20s. The critical temperature turns out to be around 28° F, according to the Appalachian Fruit Research Station in West Virginia. The covers can keep the plants in the temperature range of 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit if the outdoor air temperature falls to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Carrots can survive in frosts that go right down to 20°. A blueberry bush is vulnerable to damage in winter if the temperature is below 5 degrees F. (-3 C.). Potato plants can also survive a hard frost (temperatures below 28 degrees Fahrenheit), especially with cold protection (such as cloches or row covers). In the spring after removing straw, frost and freezing temperatures can injure strawberry buds and blossoms and reduce yield. However, there is a risk of crown rot. The general rule of thumb is that most plants freeze when temperatures remain at 28°F for five hours. Make sure you remove sheets of plastic during the daytime so that soil can reheat and light can warm plants. Most all of the fruiting trees will begin to go dormant when the temperatures start dropping below 45-50° at night. Messy and labor-intensive, mulch may not be the best option for large planting areas. Use wind machines. Steps to take when frost or freezing temperatures threaten tender plants: Bring Indoors: Frost-tender plants in containers should be brought inside during cold weather. A temperature below 32 degrees Fahrenheit is too cold for a vegetable garden. For this upcoming cold snap, I would wrap plants like sago palm in a blanket and cover vegetables with floating row cover Monday evening and not worry about uncovering them until Wednesday or Thursday morning. Most plants are just fine as long as the temperature is 30 degrees F or higher. Water holds heat better than dry soil, protecting roots and warming air near the soil. Likewise, moist soil will tend to stay warmer than dry soil, so a good soaking right before freezing temperatures can help protect plants. Protect strawberries with a thick layer of straw. Cover up bushes. Moist soil has an insulating effect, which radiates heat upward come nightfall. Harden off seedlings. A "hard frost" or . MODERATE FREEZE: 25 degrees F to 28 degrees F / -4 degrees C to -2 degrees C. Wide destruction on most vegetation with heavy damage to fruit blossoms and tender semi-hardy plants. Photo by Rebecca Finneran, MSU Extension. 2. When it comes to covering your plants in winter, you should make sure that they are not exposed to direct sunlight and you should cover them more than what they would be covered in summer. In gardening terms, a "light freeze" or "light frost" refers to temperatures that fall just a few degrees below freezing for a few hours. Add Mulch. These are three similar methods of protecting plants that started in the 1940s when plastic became more widely available and gardeners were trying to find faster, less expensive alternatives to cold frames. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. 10 Easy Tips for Protecting Plants From Frost. A temperature below 32 degrees Fahrenheit is too cold for a vegetable garden. Pin down or weight the cover edges to prevent blowing off with a rock or piece of wood, just any heavier stuff. Some hardy plants may not be damaged. Water Plants: Water plants thoroughly before a freeze to prevent desiccation and to add insulating water to the soil and . or avocados (Persea spp.) 2. There are numerous ways agricultural producers and home gardeners can protect crops and plants. that are not hardy below USDA zone 8 are exceptions . Elevation and ground slope influence the severity of frosts. Frost can occur above or below 32°F and happens when . Plants that are a little sturdier in cooler weather can be damaged in temperatures from 25- to 28-degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure you anchor your coverings in case the winds threaten. ANSWER: Different plants have a different tolerance for frost. Early spring is the prime time for growing and cultivating blueberry plants and bushes, but it is also a reminder that the last hints of winter could pop up at any time. Water - Water acts as an insulator. Tropical plants have differing low-temperature thresholds. This is a very hardy plant and can withstand severe frosts in hibernation. Remove your covering once the temperature goes above freezing the next day . Cover plants before nightfall. 1. They can be used on nights where temperatures drop as low as 28 F. * Choose your cover. It is going to depend on how cold, how long, snow stays around, how much damage gets done. When Should You Cover Plants? Broccoli Brussels sprouts Cabbage Collards Horseradish Kale Kohlrabi Mustard Greens Onion (sets and seeds) Parsley Peas Radish Rutabaga Spinach Turnips Frost-Tolerant Vegetables (can withstand light frost; 28 to 32° F): Help them survive by adding a generous mulch of something like hay. After a while, the hostas will recover. Even a little frost, between 25 and 28 degrees Fahrenheit, can cause significant damage to most types of plants. 5. Water Plants in the Afternoon. More tender plants can be damaged or killed by temperatures ranging from 29- to 32-degrees Fahrenheit. When moisture in the cells of a vulnerable plant freezes, it expands, bursts cell walls, and turns leaves to mush. Most types grow best in temperatures from 55 to 65°F, but if you "harden" the plants by introducing them gradually to progressively colder temperatures, many leaf varieties and some . Cold temperatures can freeze plant cells, which could block the flow of nutrients and water. How do I protect my plants from spring freeze? They can be used on nights where temperatures drop as low as 28 F. * Choose your cover. Ad. Freeze damage can happen when the temperature drops down to the mid-to-low-twenties, and plants are definitely at risk when temps sink under 20 degrees. Add a layer of plastic sheeting over the. Generally, air temperature lowers from 3-5 degrees Fahrenheit with each thousand-foot increase in altitude. In some cases, the cold from a hard frost may damage potato plant leaves and stems, killing the plant above ground . Freeze damage can happen when the temperature drops down to the mid-to-low-twenties, and plants are definitely at risk when temps sink under 20 degrees. What temperature should I cover my plants for frost? Typically, most plants freeze when the air temperature drops below 28°F (-2°C) for at least five hours. 00:00 - What temperature should I cover my plants for frost?00:42 - Does watering protect plants from frost?01:11 - How do you keep potted plants from freezi. Protect plants from frost by covering them with winter blankets, tarps or frost fabric. In general, frost will not destroy hostas. . Once the risk of frost has passed, haul all your plants back outside first thing in the morning. When . However, if the temperature drops far enough for the plant cells to freeze, non-hardy plants will die. This temperature will cause frost to develop in the garden that can damage the roots, leaves, and fruits in your vegetable garden. Light cold - 29° to 32° Fahrenheit will harm sensitive plants. When the weather begins to dip, it can affect the plants and shrubs. A thick layer of mulch, such as shredded bark or compost, can help insulate tender plants. If you do cover plants - be it new or tender perennials or annual flowers or vegetables - cover only overnight. There are numerous ways agricultural producers and home gardeners can protect crops and plants. This will help drive off some of the cold that can kill the roots. Depending on how long temps stay below freezing (32 degrees F), "frost tender" succulents may show varying degrees of damage. Row covers can be made of burlap, vinyl, plastic, and similar materials. Frost occurs in temperatures below 32°F (0°C) so this is the point at which you need to be protecting plants in winter. Use of fabrics to protect plants. A plant's location is also important. Soak seeds for 1-2 hours before sowing, and then plant in seed tray around two and a half times the diameter of the seed. Mostly, the fresh buds of the plant suffer if they are exposed to frosts. Here are 10 easy, practical methods I've used to reduce frost's impact on my garden: Choose cold-hardy plants. Some hardy plants may not be damaged. Carrots. Here are a few more fall frost damage prevention tips: Water the soil thoroughly before frost. But if the temperature is predicted to drop into the high 20° Fs, some simple frost protection can bring you through with most of the crop intact. Temperatures between 29 and 32 F cause light frost, but temperatures from 25 to 28 F inflict serious damage to potatoes. It may seem counterintuitive but keeping the soil moist can help protect plants from the cold.