"Don't Let Jack Frost Nip Your Garden"
Published on December 8th, 2009
Frost Protection Made Easy
By: Steve McShane Frost season along the Central Coast has officially arrived. According to officials with the USDA, the “date of concern” comes on or around October 15th. It will last until on or around March 15th. The worst nights to worry about are going to be still, clear and cold. As frost can be deadly to citrus, avocado and subtropicals, I wanted to introduce you to an awesome solution I came across called Bonide “Wilt Stop.” While fans, heaters and frost fabric protect against frost, there is a new product that can help. Its called Wilt Stop. In my opinion it is the absolute best frost and wind protection on the market!. It's made of pine resin, a natural and organic substance. Best of all, Wilt Stop needs to only be applied once a season. It need only be re-applied whenever there is new growth. Wilt Stop is sold in pints, quarts, and gallons. It also comes in an easy to apply Qt. “ready to use” hose-end sprayer too. There is a similar product called “Cloud Cover.” While it can also be of help, it is a chemical compound and needs to be re-applied every four weeks or so. Although both products are labeled as non-toxic, Cloud Cover can't make the "natural and organic" claim that Wilt Stop can. If you have any citrus, avocado or sub-tropical plants in your garden, now is the time to apply. Wilt Stop works best when applied during bright sunny days and slightly warmer weather. It's always best to apply it well in advance of any anticipated frost. Given where we live, the danger of frost will exist forever. It should not prevent you from planting frost tender plants. They are just too beautiful to pass up. Even more important, solutions to prevent the effects of frost exist. Your local nursery stands ready to advise.
FROST PROTECTION
Here are some tips on how to protect your plants in case of a freeze, even a light one, and preserve your beautiful and valuable landscape.
WATER
Well watered plants fare better than dry ones during a frost. Water plumps up the plant's cells protecting them, plus moist soil retains more heat than dry soil.
FERTILIZER
Use Master Bloom monthly beginning in September to 'harden off' Bougainvillea, Hibiscus, and other tender plants.
COVER PLANTS
Fast Start is a "thermal blanket" for your plants. Simply cut the material to a size large enough to cover the plant, allowing a few inches of slack for plant growth and for anchoring the edges. Then just drape it over the plant for as long as night temps are under 30 degrees F, up to 4-6 weeks. No need to remove it during the day. Fast Start's unique construction breathes, preventing it from 'welding' to plant leaves and transferring the cold to the plant the way plastic sheeting does. Fast Start will modify the plant temperature around a plant by 2-6 degrees, enough to significantly reduce frost and cold damage. Other covers like plastic sheeting or blankets must be draped over stakes or a frame (to keep them from touching a plant directly) and should be removed during the day.
LIGHTS-Placing a lit 50-100 watt light bulb underneath the Fast Start (or plastic sheeting tent) will raise the temperature around the plant. Make sure the light bulbs don't touch the leaves or Fast Start. One attractive solution is stringing miniature Christmas tree lights through your plants then leaving them on overnight . This keeps plants warmer and looks festive too.
SPRAYS
Anti-transparent like Cloud Cover offer 2-3 degree F protection from frost. They also help protect plats from drying out in storm winds and can be used with Fast Start for even greater protection.
MOVING PLANTS
Container plants should be moved, if possible, to under an eave or overhang . South facing walls absorb the most heat during the day and radiate it at night, offering protection to nearby plants. Other good spots for protection are under and evergreen tree, under a lath structure or in the garage or carport.
EARLY WARNINGS
Besides staying up to listen to the 11:00 news to find out how cold it is going to get at night, (then being too sleepy to go outside to protect the plants), here are a few early warning signs of an especially cold night.
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