In the central and northern regions, the threat of return frosts persists for a long time. Despite this, gardeners plant many crops. The question arises: how to protect the landing from a cold snap? Now I will share my secrets with you.
How to organize additional shelter?
Young plants, even those that are highly resistant to weather changes, can be severely affected by recurrent frosts. We are talking about crops that are planted not only in open ground, but also in greenhouses and greenhouses.
If a strong drop in temperature is planned, I recommend making additional shelter. Most often I use those materials that are at my fingertips. For example, canisters with a volume of 5 liters. I cut off the bottom of them and cover low bushes. The bottle can also be replaced with glass jars.
Newspaper insulates well. To do this, I form a small bag, fasten the edges with tape or a stapler and install a shelter over the plants. Then I recommend lightly sprinkling the cone with earth so that cold air does not penetrate inside.
To improve the thermal insulation properties of the newspaper shelter, I make several layers. Pre-sheets carefully crumpled.
If I have cardboard boxes left, then I use them. I turn over and set over the landing, also slightly dropping.
Mobile greenhouses
On the modern market there is a wide range of mobile greenhouses of various sizes. This is a great temporary solution. Particularly suitable for tall plants planted outdoors.
When there is a threat of returning frosts, I install the structure over crops such as
- tomatoes;
- cucumbers;
- peppers.
I place arcs above the landing and cover them with agrofiber. I do it in such a way that the material does not touch the leaves of plants, this can lead to frostbite of the green mass.
In the afternoon, when the air temperature warms up enough, I raise the covering material so that the landing is ventilated.
As soon as the frosts have passed, I clean the greenhouse.
Hilling
For plantings that occupy a large area, such as potatoes, none of the methods is suitable.
However, young seedlings can only withstand short-term frosts down to -2 °C.
I recommend saving potatoes from the cold by hilling:
- Sprouting seedlings with a chopper.
- I make the height of the mound at least 10 cm.
So, plants with five real leaves are not afraid of frost.
Mulching
Another reliable way to protect the landing. To do this, in the evening I carefully water the bed, then cover the plants with a layer of straw or spruce branches. I cover the bushes completely, while making sure that the layer is loose, not dense.
So the mulch and moisture that forms after watering does not allow cold frosty air to penetrate inside.
Ways to protect seedlings in a greenhouse
In the greenhouse, some plantings also need additional shelter. I cover low plants with agrofiber.
I cover cucumbers and tomatoes with dark-colored plastic bottles, buckets or barrels.
Some of my gardening friends shed boiling water on the eve of frosts. Boiling water is also poured into containers and placed in greenhouses.
In tin or metal buckets, you can leave an ordinary paraffin candle overnight.
If a serious cooling is expected, then I lay out hot coals inside the structure. I put the container in the center, and I lay refractory stones on top, significantly prolonging heat transfer.
So, it is quite possible to protect the planting from return frosts. To do this, you can use improvised materials: candles, empty plastic bottles, newspaper. You can install a temporary greenhouse over the landing. Spread agrofibre in the greenhouse or leave smoldering coals.
How do you protect young plants from recurrent frosts? Share your experience in the comments.
Read also: In the greenhouse, the ovaries of cucumbers turn yellow. Reasons and recommendations
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