Q. With cooler weather
here I was wondering if it is safe to cover frost sensitive vegetables with
every day trash bags. I would cut some vent holes in the bags so these
vegetables don’t overheat. I would not keep them covered except the coolest
evenings. I have used burlap but sometimes it is difficult to keep it on some
larger plants.
here I was wondering if it is safe to cover frost sensitive vegetables with
every day trash bags. I would cut some vent holes in the bags so these
vegetables don’t overheat. I would not keep them covered except the coolest
evenings. I have used burlap but sometimes it is difficult to keep it on some
larger plants.
A. Warm season vegetables
and herbs like tomatoes, basil and peppers get chilling damage below 45F. It isn’t
just freezing temperatures that could be a problem, but “refrigerator
temperatures” could be as well.
and herbs like tomatoes, basil and peppers get chilling damage below 45F. It isn’t
just freezing temperatures that could be a problem, but “refrigerator
temperatures” could be as well.
 |
| Crop covers give about 5 or 6F added protection during freezing weather. And they breathe. And they let in light. And they protect from insects. And……. |
Plastic bags won’t give the plants enough protection from
these types of temperatures. Row crop covers (frost covers, frost blankets) that
are draped over the entire row and in contact with the soil are a better
choice. Unlike trash bags, they can be left on top of the plants for several
days at time. Use row crop covers that weigh about 1 ounce per square yard.
They can be used for three or four years, “breathe”, and transmit at least 50%
of the sunlight.
Row crop covers keep temperatures under the cover about 5
to 6° warmer than the outside temperature. Plastic bags won’t do this. Make
sure row crop covers cannot be blown off the plants or the row. Tack or peg the
edges to the soil. Cover the edges with soil.
to 6° warmer than the outside temperature. Plastic bags won’t do this. Make
sure row crop covers cannot be blown off the plants or the row. Tack or peg the
edges to the soil. Cover the edges with soil.
The added benefit from row crop covers is protection from
insects OUTSIDE the cover. If insects are trapped under the cover that won’t
help protect plants and fruits from being devoured or attacked.
insects OUTSIDE the cover. If insects are trapped under the cover that won’t
help protect plants and fruits from being devoured or attacked.
If using some form of pest control, apply it and then
cover these plants soon after the application. Warm temperatures under crop
covers help cool season types of vegetables (lettuce, spinach, broccoli,
carrots) grow a bit faster and protects them from wind damage as well.
cover these plants soon after the application. Warm temperatures under crop
covers help cool season types of vegetables (lettuce, spinach, broccoli,
carrots) grow a bit faster and protects them from wind damage as well.