Plants in danger: how to protect them from cold and save harvest

It is now worth taking care of the first sprouts and outdoor flowers. Seedlings and plants can freeze.

Danger signs: when to wait for frost and how to recognize them

Spring frosts usually occur at night or early in the morning, when the temperature drops to 0 ° C or below. They are mostly observed in April, especially in the northern and central regions of Ukraine.

Particularly dangerous periods – after a long heat, when the seedlings are already planted in the soil. It is worth following the weather forecasts, paying attention to warnings about the night temperature drop.

Seedlings leaves begin to darken, develop or cover with stains – the first signs of a lesion cold. If such symptoms are noticed, the action should be taken immediately.

Plants and their protection

One of the simplest ways is to cover the sprouts with a film, agrofilm or plastic bottles cut down.

During the day, the lids should be opened to prevent the plants from overheating and the light obtained. For the night – closed again, pressing the edges tightly to prevent cold air from entering.

In the case of strong freezing, the lids can be additionally insulated with old blankets or bag cloth. If the plants are few, simple inverted pots or buckets will help. It is important to remember to remove the lids in the morning when the sun is already heating the ground.

Transplanting to containers

If the seedlings are grown in containers, they are easy to move to a warmer place – a greenhouse, an inspection or even home. This is especially convenient in the first weeks after sowing, when the plants are still small and easy to move.

Temporary transfer avoids critical temperatures in the open ground.

It is important to choose light containers that are convenient to wear. In the room, the plants must be provided with sufficient lighting to prevent them from leaving. When the temperature is stabilized, the seedlings can be removed again for hardening.

Plants and their insulation

Puriene and wet primer better retain heat, so it is worth touching well before frost. It is also possible to mulch the ground around the sprouts – straw, sawdust or peat, which reduces the loss of heat at night.

Another simple way is to plant the sprouts around protective plants, such as tall crops or dense spinach. They create an additional microclimate and retain cold air.

It is worth avoiding excessive fertilization with nitrogen – it makes plants softer and more sensitive to frost. It is better to choose complex fertilizers with potassium, which increases the frost resistance.

Photos associative © canva

Source: https://www.bc.ua/