FROST TUES MORNING!

[msta999]

It is suppose to get down to 33 degs Tues morning. I just planted my seads and now it might frost this week. What is the best way to protect them? This book I bought says to put down a type of dark material (burlap or something like that). I have a big bag of Pete Moss, I bought for growing potatos in tires. I could use this, or maybe just make a green house covering with plastic and put a small heater in it. Any recomendations?

[WileyCoyote]

Seeds still under the soil probably won't be disturbed by a little late frost; it's when their little heads poke up that you need to worry.

Peat Moss won't work unless you lay down an area at least 2 inches thick. It is too fine, and it is basically dirt - and it will make it harder for your seeds to push up later. Black trash bags, or a 2ml poly liner like people use for their greenhouses, hoop houses, and to line their windows in the winter, stretched out, will keep the sun's warmth in and the frost out. Don't use a heater underneath; too risky. Put it down ASAP and the sun will warm the soil underneath today and tomorrow. This is an "extend the season" growing technique used to force plants to grow early as well as to protect the mature plants from frosts in Sept, Oct, Nov in short-season places.

If the garden is small and you have the time you can build a hoop house from pvc and set it on top, but for quick and dirty, spread the plastic. For wind, buy the u-shaped "staples" and push them in thru the plastic into the soil every 8-10 inches - or lay wood scraps on the edges, or use bricks, to hold things down.

[Deberosa]

I was worried that you planted that garden a bit early since you are just across the sound from me.

I agree with wiley on protecting them, fortunately your garden is fairly compact.

However you may find seeds like corn will just rot in the ground here this time of year... I am trying very short season corn and I'm not planting until early June not because there is frost but because the ground is too cold and damp. Your raised beds might help with that.

THe good thing is you have time to replant if things don't work out the first time around.

Good luck!

[msta999]

I had read, on some plants that you can plant them in early spring. Didn't bother reading the rest. Now I see some should have waited till next month. We'll see how the turn out. We normally have mild winters and springs, with the biggest worry, being rain. I'll put out the plastic this afternoon.
Thanks all.

[sbemt456]

Hello all
I think I may have jumped the gun too, I got tomatoes, squash, and a bunch of other things climbing out the living room window to get light and it is to cold to leave them on the porch at night. They go out in the sun in the daytime and back in at night, I then have 10 flats of plants in the living room floor all to be toted back out the next day. We usually plant corn, beans and the like by April 15th, and they usually do ok and dont get bit here on the river, but planting tomatoes and the like is not a good idea till after the first of may. So I guess I'll keep totin till next year when I get my greenhouse up and going. Live and learn.

stella