Every year it happens. I check the 10 day forecast, see that there is no frost predicted and then a heavy frost sets in anyway. My plan begins in October of the year before I plant. That's when I buy a few bales of hay/straw and put them in my shed. When I plant I keep an eye on the forecast. If it is predicted to get down to 40F I go out and cover each of my plants with hay. I just make a little Indian type tee-pee. I choose 40F because our weathermen are very poor forecasters.
Here is a pic of my "normal" plants.
Here is a pic with one of the plants covered in straw.
After the danger of frost has passed I just pull the straw away and mulch the base of the plants with it. The beauty of this method is that unlike a plastic cover the straw has enough air pockets that it will not kill your plants if you happen to be away for a few days and they remain covered.
One "average" ( 36"x16"x16") bale of straw will cover approximately 100 plants.
Here is a pic of my "normal" plants.
Here is a pic with one of the plants covered in straw.
After the danger of frost has passed I just pull the straw away and mulch the base of the plants with it. The beauty of this method is that unlike a plastic cover the straw has enough air pockets that it will not kill your plants if you happen to be away for a few days and they remain covered.
One "average" ( 36"x16"x16") bale of straw will cover approximately 100 plants.
