Frost - will they survive?

[isuhunter]

I covered all my tomatoes and still had some damage the other night.

Wes
Rutgers
Hungarian oxheart
Mexican Midget

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[wildcat62]

I'd be finding replacements. Know the feeling all too well. We lost 32 out of 34 yesterday morning. Covered the cages/plants with garbage bags the previous night to no avail.

[isuhunter]

That’s my feeling also. Well I better go visit the amish this week

[TomHillbilly]

I feel for ya-- been there-- done that.
Is that volunteer 2 leaf tomato seedlings that covers the ground ?

[isuhunter]

I feel for ya-- been there-- done that.
Is that volunteer 2 leaf tomato seedlings that covers the ground ?

Yes yes I have so so many!!

[bower]

Just a heads up for a next one, the only time I've had frost damage was when I covered some plants with a plastic drop sheet instead of a soft cloth. Plastic traps moisture inside, and then condensation forms on the plants' leaves and they are toast. A bit of row cover or even a sheet or blanket will give you a better chance. That is assuming you are not plunging too far below freezing.

[isuhunter]

I out out sheets tonight.

They look worse and more are showing signs today. Thankfully I have a few pots in my garage. Going to have to visit the Amish green house

[EdieJ]

I'm so sorry about the loss of plants. Isuhunter, hopefully your local Amish greenhouse will have plenty to choose from. Wildcat62, that's just heartbreaking.
We put cardboard boxes over our plants that are in tubs. Put them on Friday evening and didn't take them off until after the danger of frost passed this morning. Thankfully they are all fine. I tossed an old sheet over the peppers and they're OK too. Hopefully the last time this growing season we have to worry about it.

[pepperhead212]

So sorry to hear about all these losses. The last two nights I lucked out - no frost, only because it was so windy. In fact, that was why I didn't cover mine - whatever I would have covered with, would have probably blown off, and damaged the plants, as well. Even the worst looking plant in my garden will survive, though I do have extras.

[Gardadore]

Still have my tomato plants on an enclosed balcony porch. I have been afraid to even put them in my table tents outside. For the next 3 nights they are predicting 30’s temps. Don’t remember ever having such continuous cold nights this far into May. But when I moved to PA 50 years ago the old timers always warned not to plant them until Memorial weekend. I broke that rule years ago once and lost all my plants!
Also was told not to cover using plastic for the reasons Bower gave. Sorry for all of you who must start over! Best of luck to you!

[Clkeiper]

Anything that has been frosted will not produce worth diddly squat. Trust me... From experience I have tried. They were the worst crop of tomatoes I ever had. Replace them.

[brownrexx]

I also live in PA [mention]Gardadore[/mention] and May 15 is our average last frost date.

According to local weather forecasters Sunday night's 30° temperature was the lowest temperature in May EVER.

I resisted the urge to plant my tomatoes and peppers outside because I wait for night time temperatures to be above 50° and it has only been in the 40's. I am so glad that I waited. I am planning on getting them planted this Thursday ahead of a really warm weekend. Hopefully it will stay warmer after that.

[isuhunter]

Well tomorrow we search for new soldiers. 10/14 look pretty rough now... GRRRRR I should have milk jugged them like I did in the past

[wildcat62]

I've already hit up a couple of small local greenhouses for replacements. Nothing wrong with what I bought just not the variety of heirlooms I had started from seed. Still cold here. Today set a record for the lowest high temp. Never got out of the 40's. Almost 30 degrees from the average temps.

[Gardadore]

Brownrex, I envy you being able to plant on Thursday. That is the day I will finally feel comfortable putting them outdoors in the table tents I have for them. They are 3 x 3 ft plastic “houses” and are great for hardening off tall tomato plants. Most of mine have outgrown their grow lights so need to get outside. The tents are also covered with a light sunshade so they don’t heat up too much from the morning sun.
Sure hope it stays warm after Thursday for you. From what I see it may get TOO warm too fast. Every year we seem to jump from winter into summer with almost no real spring. Does challenge the planting schedule!

[Setec Astronomy]

Anything that has been frosted will not produce worth diddly squat. Trust me... From experience I have tried. They were the worst crop of tomatoes I ever had. Replace them.

Well, that's not too encouraging. I got caught the other morning as I detailed in my NWS thread. The only plant that I may have lost outright was my Minnesota Midget Melon, but now you've got me worried about my tomatoes and ground cherries.

[Setec Astronomy]

... in the table tents I have for them. They are 3 x 3 ft plastic “houses” and are great for hardening off tall tomato plants. Most of mine have outgrown their grow lights so need to get outside. The tents are also covered with a light sunshade so they don’t heat up too much from the morning sun.

Can you elaborate a little more on these? Is this something commercially available?

[Gardadore]

It is called a Planthouse and comes in different sizes. I bought mine from Greenhouse Megastore. They last a few years before the material dries out and starts to tear. I do add a light shade cloth so they don’t get too hot from the sun. Zipper opening will eventually fail but no biggy for me. I place them on palates I get free from the local lumber yard placed on plastic horses bought at Home Depot and tie down using wire so they don’t blow away in a heavy wind. I take them down for the winter. I love these houses and considering the price they do hold up well!
Hope that helps and that the link works! *** I have edited this because I just found Amazon.com has them for a much lower price and it is the same thing. Go to Amazon and put “Flower House FHPH130 PlantHouse 3 Pop-Up Plant House” in the Search section and scroll down till you find it. I have Prime so the shipping is fast and free. I will still leave the Megastore link just because it is a reliable source but the price has increased a lot.

https://www.greenhousemegastore.com/str ... se-kits%2f

[isuhunter]

Update - I am slowly finding more herilooms. I finally found (via craigslist) a lady who has 30 heirloom varieties. Going over lunch to grab some more. Looks like I'm going to have to replant ALL of them.