The weather condition kinfolk were invoking the “ F ” password the other night — frost , which may hit the Twin Cities Friday dark . The rest of the state will have mutation on frosts , freezes and hard freeze . For northerly gardeners , understanding the differences between these three event and what you should do to keep your garden grow is of import .
Here ’s the break down on what each term means :
rime
In the right setting, a frosty morning is beautiful.
Frostis a light software of frappe form on square surfaces , such as leave , blooms and blades of grass . As the air travel gets cooler , urine droplets in the airwave condense on surface and halt . In Minnesota , frost warnings are typically come forth when the overnight low is require to devolve to 36 or low-pitched for several hours . Now , you may be remember , wait a hour – how can the piss freeze if the air temperature is above freeze out ( 32 degrees Farenheit ) ? The answer is that while the official air temperature is above freeze , those reading are taken above the reason . ( Six feet above ground , according tothis source . ) Temperatures are lower near the ground and lower still in low - lying orbit of your chiliad and garden . That ’s why frost tend to form in small areas of the chiliad quicker and for a longer time .
What to about frost?If you have not already brought any houseplants indoors , now is a good time to do it . Be certain to clean the pot and the plant to avoid bringing in pests , and if you have a good spot for it , you may want to quarantine houseplant for a pair of weeks . If you still have tomatoes , tender annuals or other summer flora you do n’t want to lose , cover them up .
Freeze
Brrr. This frost about a year ago spelled the end of the season for these morning glories.
A freeze is when the aura temperatures pass to between 28 and 32 degrees and remain there for a four or more hours . For many summertime season flora ( tomatoes , petunias , etc . ) , this will mark the remnant of the uprise time of year unless they are address and save warm .
What to do about a freeze?Get out all the blankets to insure anything that is not hoarfrost - hardy that you want to have continue to maturate ( or at least , depend practiced ) . Some vegetables , such as Brussels sprouts , clams and parsnips , actually taste sweetened after a freeze . Things like peppers and tomatoes that have not been picked should be . you could sometimesripen tomato on the counterto an acceptable ( if not mythological ) tang . You may also want to empty your birdbath or any little piddle feature that could freeze and crack .
Hard frost
A hard halt happens when the air temperature falls below 28 degrees and stay there for four or more hours . This usually signals the end of the produce season for most plants in Minnesota .
What to do after a hard freeze?It ’s time to go into full fall horticulture mode . cleanse up the plant corpses in the yard , do a really , really proficient weeding , plan thatday tripto see the pin leaves turning because that will be happening before you know it .
