I Want June Back

[applestar]

I'm sorry I hadn't been keeping up with this thread. My comments now appears to be too late for the two of you...

But doubled covers make a big difference in frost covers -- especially when heavy frost/subfreezing temps are expected -- because often just the top layer gets the frost, there's a pocket of thin air that benefits from the freeze/thaw heat generating thermal dynamics ( hope some one can explain that, cause I can't ) and provides insulation AND keeps the frost from actually touching the plant. I think that's why quilt is often used.

I imagine sheets then plastic tarp would keep the sheets from getting wet.

[stella1751]

That makes sense, Applestar. It would be like a dog's coat. The top layer takes the cold and can be tipped with frost on a cold winter day, but it covers the hair layer next to the skin, which doesn't become cold and serves as a layer of insulation. I'll see one of my dogs playing outside in sub-freezing temperature, his coat white with frost, and he seems as comfortable as can be.

[garden5]

Here's all about [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermodynamics]Thermodynamics[/ulr].

I personally think that the pockets of air help to insulate the underlying plants. The outside air has to get cold, then it has to make the pocket of air cool, then it can start working on making the air under the sheets cold. At least, this is the way I see it.

[Hispoptart]

Guess I will have to hit up the thrift store for more sheets so I can double them up next year. We have frosted last night and the night before and looks like it's not going to end soon. The toms and peppers are doing fine, but I am really beginning to wonder if the buttternuts will ripen before the cold comes to stay.

[stella1751]

I am sorry to hear about the frost! We appear to have made it through the cold for a while. The nine-day forecast is for 70's, with lows in the 40's. Day ten looks bad, but nine days without having to cover plants and with lying awake at night, wondering which, if any, will survive, feels pretty exciting at this time of the year!

Even the cucumbers that froze during the last frost are struggling to stay alive, now that the weather has turned. They look a fright, with the decaying upper layer, but the lower part of the plants are green, and I might just get the seed cucumber from them I was hoping for.

I'm starting to accept that the joy ride is over. The September 6 frost was too darned soon and seemed pretty unfair, particularly in light of the June we were denied. However, once we pass our average first frost date of September 22, I will be better equipped to reconcile myself to the end.

This just in: [url=https://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/la-nina-likely-to-bring-weather-extremes-to-us-this-winter/19624977?icid=main%7Chtmlws-main-n%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk3%7C170028]"A Winter of Extremes? Maybe, Thanks to La Nina"[/url]

It looks like we're all in for a long winter

I'm crossing my fingers that your butternuts ripen in time!

[Hispoptart]

I'm glad to hear you in for some better weather. Looks like we may be to. I am really worried about the butternuts to. So far it looks like one really small one is just about ripe enough to pick. I will check it this afternoon after work. Maybe we can atleast get a taste one one.