Protecting Annuals From Frost During The Spring
We had a nice warm spell here in SW Pa that lasted a couple weeks. That made the flowers bloom early and compelled the local Greenhouses to open their doors a week early, my favorite Greenhouse included. As soon as I saw their FB post announcing their opening I drove straight there, ready to give them all of my paycheck.
I know it is only April and that in Zone 5 our last frost isn't expected until the end of May but my favorite annual (Black Cat Petunia) sells out fast around here so I buy what I need as soon as they open. The weather forcast called for another 10 days of 70-80 degree weather so I put them in the ground knowing that weather forcasters are the worst psychics in history but also, I know how to keep the flowers safe if we did get a frost. Turns out, we did. For a week straight. That lovely forcast lasted a whole 5 days. Which meant I had to cover my babies or they would die.
What You Need:
Queen Size Bed Sheet
Scissors
What To Do:
Cut a 2" strip off the long side of the sheet, set aside. Fold the Bed Sheet in half and cut along that point. Lay both sheets on top of the planter and secure with the strip. Do this for any other planters you may have. Now, you may be wondering why you had to cut the sheet in half when you're just using both halves on the same planter, here's why.
In Zone 5 we can pretty much expect 4 types of Spring weather:
Snow in the morning, Sun in the afternoon
Chilly Rain for days straight, above freezing at night
Warm days and nights
Warm in the day, clear skies at night with fast dropping temps
For 1. you need the extra sheet to protect against moisture since you do not want your plants to be wet and cold. Do not water your plants the night before or the night of unless the temps are going to be above 40 degrees. Take them off during the day unless the forecast calls for freezing temps or heavy rain.
For 2. you only need a single sheet since it will not dip below freezing but you do not want your planters to fill with water, causing your plants to be over watered. One sheet will allow just enough water to get through once your sheet becomes saturated. Keep the sheet on until the forecast calls for the rain to stop and temps to warm up. If temps dip to freezing, add a dry sheet on top.
For 3. you do not need any sheets. Keep them off and let your plants enjoy the weather.
For 4. this spells Frost. Keep one sheet over your plants and remove in the morning after the sun rises unless the forecast calls for heavy rain the next day. In that case, keep the sheet on to prevent over saturation.
Couple of tips:
Be sure to completely dry your sheets between uses. I typically shake mine out then toss them in the dryer or drape them out in the sun if it will be warm enough. This way your sheets will not mold or freeze ultimately ruining them. Also, Flannel sheets work the best but if you can not find any at the Thrift Shop then try to find the softest, thickest sheet. Do not use a stiff sheet as it may have been treated to maintain its colors through washings which means water will not be able to penetrate it. Do not put annuals in the ground (outside of a planter) unil your zone calls for Frost to be over. Wet, heavy sheets will only crush and damage your plants.
Now go get those annuals you know you want to buy and keep them alive. Until next time amigas, adios!