Temperatures turned cold this past week in mid November. Historically, we
still have about three or four more weeks of warm weather so it probably will
get warm again soon. But if you plant vegetables from seed, these cold soil
temperatures should still be warm enough to germinate radish, peas, beets,
possibly carrots and turnips.
still have about three or four more weeks of warm weather so it probably will
get warm again soon. But if you plant vegetables from seed, these cold soil
temperatures should still be warm enough to germinate radish, peas, beets,
possibly carrots and turnips.
Fluff up the soil with compost.
Raised beds in full sun and “fluffed up” with compost have
the best chance of germinating seed during cold weather. If the soil is
compacted and difficult to dig, it will stay cold and germination of seed will
be slow, difficult and maybe impossible.
the best chance of germinating seed during cold weather. If the soil is
compacted and difficult to dig, it will stay cold and germination of seed will
be slow, difficult and maybe impossible.
 |
| Tomato germinating under plastic in January |
If soil temperatures are suspiciously cool, peg the
surface of the planting area with clear plastic and cover the edges with soil.
After one week, cut a slit in the plastic and plant directly in this warmer soil
through the slit.
surface of the planting area with clear plastic and cover the edges with soil.
After one week, cut a slit in the plastic and plant directly in this warmer soil
through the slit.
Use Frost Blankets
Expect freezing temperatures
sometime during the first three weeks of December. Watch for a cold front like
we just had and get ready to throw a frost cover or light blanket over tender
citrus trees if weather alerts are predicting a freeze. Frost covers or frost
blankets are the best.
sometime during the first three weeks of December. Watch for a cold front like
we just had and get ready to throw a frost cover or light blanket over tender
citrus trees if weather alerts are predicting a freeze. Frost covers or frost
blankets are the best.
 |
| Floating row crop cover and frost blankets for winter protection of raised beds |
What? No citrus fruit again?
Most important is to keep cold wind
from damaging the youngest shoots. Wrapping the tree with Christmas tree lights
may help if the lights are not LEDs and if the tree is protected from the wind.
If the tree is unprotected, it may not have any flowers or fruit this next
year. If temperatures are unusually cold, the tree may not have fruit next year
regardless of what you do. A lot depends on where you live in the Valley.
from damaging the youngest shoots. Wrapping the tree with Christmas tree lights
may help if the lights are not LEDs and if the tree is protected from the wind.
If the tree is unprotected, it may not have any flowers or fruit this next
year. If temperatures are unusually cold, the tree may not have fruit next year
regardless of what you do. A lot depends on where you live in the Valley.