Radek Tesár 23. 5. 2025 clock 4 minutes video
Tomatoes are thermophilic plants and any temperature drop below freezing can be fatal for them. In the article we will advise you how to protect your seedlings and extend their vegetation season. Don’t wait until it’s too late!
Tomatoes are among the most popular crops of Czech gardens, but their cultivation also carries some risks, especially in the spring and autumn months, when there is a risk of ground frosts. They can destroy whole flower beds with carefully grown plants even in a single night. Therefore, it is important to know how to recognize the danger in time and in what ways to effectively protect their tomatoes. In the following paragraphs we will introduce proven prevention methods, practical tips and the most common mistakes to avoid.
YouTube video on how to grow strong and healthy tomatoes can be found on the channel Shikulio Garden:
How to protect tomatoes from frost
One of the most recommended methods of tomato protection from ground frosts is irrigation. The principle is that water releases heat when freezing, which can maintain the temperature of the plant just above the freezing point. However, if you decide to use this method, you have to count on irrigation must take place continuously throughout the freezing until the ice on the plants completely. The drip irrigation does not help because it cannot create a protective ice cover. In addition, in young plants, a strong water flow can cause mechanical damage. Therefore, this method is more suitable for more experienced growers with corresponding equipment and water source near the flowerbed.
In addition to the frost itself, there is also a cold stress for tomatoes, which occurs at temperatures around 5 ° C. Low temperatures slow down growth, weaken plants and can also cause physical damage in combination with wind. A good trick is to plant seedlings a little deeper to have a more stable root system and are partially protected by the soil. A simple windbreak, such as a belt of higher grass, wood screen or garden fabric stretched around the flowerbed, can also help. Such barriers reduce the flow of cold air, reduce the evaporation of water from the leaves and can create a more favorable microclimate.
A lesser -known but interesting possibility of protection is the use of products that reduce the presence of so -called ice -forming bacteria on the leaves of tomatoes. These microorganisms promote ice formation at temperatures slightly below zero, so their removal can withstand lower temperatures than usual. For example, copper or hydrogen peroxide is used for treatment. In practice, however, their efficiency is not always reliable and every such intervention must be registered as a pesticide. If the seedlings have already been treated in a greenhouse before planting, other applications usually make no sense.
What if it’s too late?
If the tomatoes have already hit Mráz, it does not always mean the end of the whole crop. The first step is to quickly evaluate the extent of the damage. The frozen leaves turn black or solidify, but the plant itself can survive unless there has been damage to the stem or root system. However, wait a few days to remove the damaged parts. Sometimes the plant recovers itself and makes new shoots. If the damage is large, it can help trim to healthy tissue and subsequent covering of plants with a non -woven textile that will help maintain warmth and reduce further stress. It is also recommended to support plants with watering with fertilizer rich in potassium or other regeneration stimulant.
Cold nights can come unexpectedly, but with the right preparation and quick response, tomatoes can be successfully protected or even saved. Every frost is a challenge, but at the same time the opportunity to become a better gardener.
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