Baby (little seedlings) It's Cold Outside

Typical. After the snow in early March, I thought I was okay. I was anxious and impatient to take my 2009 garden to the next level. So I planted some of my seedlings. They're doing great and they made it through last night's low 30's temps just fine. I'm a little more worried about tonight, but I do know that I can keep them safe with a little work after I head home this evening.

With time and research, I have learned that you can get your plants through an unexpected cold snap. I'm not saying I've never lost a plant, because I have, but I've found that if I do one or more of the "safeguard" techniques I'm going to list below, I see most of my plants survive the cold unscathed.

I water the plants before the cold. What? Yep. Sure, water freezes, but water also creates a vapor barrier of sorts. So, in my case, I believe that the moisture around the plants actually keeps them from freezing. I did this last night and my plants were looking just dandy despite last night's cold temps.

The wind is your friend...I knew it was going to be windy, so I set my seedlings up in a way that they could benefit from the wind without being blown to kingdom come. The wind, like the vapor barrier, keeps the cold air from settling in around your plant making it freeze.

If you're going to cover your plants, do it before dusk. Why? Stored heat in the ground starts to dissipate as the light disappears. You want to make use of that stored heat, so tent or cover your plants before the sun's down for the night.

Small plants, recent transplants and the like, can be individually covered with a small glass jar or plastic cup (though the wind might not be helpful with something this light).

If you cover or tent your plants in any way, do make sure to uncover them in the morning once the frost worry is over. You don't want your prized plants to overheat after you've worked so hard to save them from freezing.

I wish you all luck in the cold tonight.