If you recognize when you’re able to expect the first rime of winter , you’re able to train your plants accordingly — and even understate the damage the chill can do .
In your garden , you may haveall kind of gorgeous yearly , tropic plants , veggie , and herbs that you ’d wish to relish for as long as possible before the first hoar appointment . Once air temperature strike down to 36 ° F or below , the foliage of these plants will shrivel up and blacken , get your garden party to a halt . Knowing your realm ’s intermediate first frost engagement aid you get ahead of those possible job , giving you prison term to add hoarfrost - sensitive plants indoors andclean up your garden for the winter . fortunately , there are several resource to assist you figure out when to do that .
Ally Brangham
Credit:Ally Brangham
First Freeze Map and Average First Frost Dates
To get start , find where you live on the map above . It shows six different time period , each spanning about a month from the conclusion of June to the end of December . Each of these is color - coded to theregions where the first frost can happenduring that range of dates . For case , if you live in Ohio , you may get your first fall frost sometime between September 30 and October 30 .
If you ’d wish to specify down your window of meter a bit more , this handy online toolcreated by the National Gardening Association can help you find first frost date by ZIP code . It uses conditions data point from the National Centers for Environmental Information but packages it so you see just the number that lend oneself to your area .
Find Your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
Another helpful imagination is theUSDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map . It shows how cold your region can get in the wintertime . you’re able to look by ZIP computer code or your res publica to discover your USDA Zone . Your Zone figure can help you knowwhich plant will be hardy in your areaand probable to survive your wintertime atmospheric condition , let in your first fall Robert Lee Frost . The current version of the USDA map was created in 2012 and is the latest in a farseeing dividing line of mathematical function showing norm of the coldest winter temperatures .
Microclimates and Average First Frost Dates
Your chiliad , or even a particular spot in it , may experience hoarfrost well before others in your neighbourhood . This is because of microclimates , which are because of broker that affect air temperature near the soil , such as top . If you live at the bottom ofa hill , slope , or vale , the cold air will fall down to you , make your property colder than the surround 1 , and your first freeze will happen earlier . Likewise , a sheltered pip may not have rime until several weeks after other areas . Keep this in mind when a light frost is portend ; your garden just might get by unscathed until temperature drop even more .
Bob Stefko
Plants That Won’t Survive a First Frost Date
Annuals
Most annualsand tender perennials die off when Jack Frost comes around . If it ’s only a wanton frost , sometimes you’re able to keep yourgeraniumsor bedding plants live a bit longer if you cover them overnight with an honest-to-god sheet or towel . reveal them when temperatures rise the next day . This goes foryour pots of fall mom , too , which can take a lightheaded frost but not a concentrated freeze .
Container Plantings
Check the tags of any plant you aregrowing in container . Those listed as USDA zona 9 to 14 , such ascoleus , elephant ears , andbegonias , can be wreak into a garage or exuviate before a light frost . When the weather condition warm up again , you’re able to move them back outside to enjoy a little longer .
If you like to move your houseplant likephilodendronsandtropical fernsoutside for the summertime , know that they will be damaged when night temperatures cool to 45 ° F to 50 ° fluorine . If you want to keep them go , bring them indoors well before the first frost .
Herbs and Summer Vegetables
Many herb and summer veggie wo n’t stick out much frost . So harvest those remainingtomatoes(even the unripened unity ) ; disregard bouquets ofdahlias , zinnias , andmarigolds ; make pesto with the last of yourbasil ; pickle thecucumbers ; or pluck a dry pint ofpepperswhen a cold-blooded catch is coming .
Then say goodbye to your summer garden friends , foreshorten down the flora , andput them on the compost stack . It ’s much more pleasant to do the cutting before a freeze turns these plants black and slimy . you may leave coolheaded - season crops like lettuce and potatoes a little longer , but harvest the produce before heavy rime at 28 ° fluorine or low damages them .
Frequently Asked Questions
First frost dates are based on historical averages , but of class , weather condition is irregular . It ’s guess that a frost may come earlier than the given engagement 30 % of the time . So use the first rime escort as an estimate — it does n’t hurt to get your garden ready a bit in advancement of it .
A light frost is define as 29 ° atomic number 9 to 32 ° atomic number 9 , which will kill tender plant . A moderate freeze is 25 ° F to 28 ° F , which is more destructive . A dangerous freezing is 24 ° F and below , which will kill most plant in the garden .
Keep an oculus on the forecast . If a light frost is predicted , you still have time to protect plants . Just drape a rowing cover over them to facilitate insulate them from the cold . In a catch , even a layer sheet draped over the plant life will help .
Credit: Sandy Sarsfield/Getty Images
Credit:Bob Stefko
