The first frost of the season in Northern Ohio is in the forecast this week, with the recent stretch of summerlike weather at an end.
Is fall weather finally here?
The National Weather Service office in Cleveland is forecasting patchy frost across most of Northern Ohio overnight on Thursday, Oct. 9, and into Friday morning, Oct. 10, when the low temperature in the Akron-Canton region is expected to reach 37 degrees. And the frost is forecast a day earlier in some areas, like Wooster in Wayne County and Kent in Portage County, with overnight lows in the mid-30s from Wednesday, Oct. 8, into Thursday, Oct. 9.
And if you have sensitive plants in the garden or potted plants outdoors, you’ll need to take some precautions against the cold.
Here’s how you can protect them.
Frost-covered plants stand in the foreground as people walk out after viewing greater prairie chickens at Buena Vista Wildlife Area in Wisconsin.
How to protect your outdoor and potted plants against the frost
Sometimes, an early frost is a freak incident, and there’s plenty of time in the growing season ahead, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. While some vegetables can tolerate a light frost, many won’t. So, if your garden is still producing, and you want to protect your crop, there are a few steps you can take.
The primary way to protect plants from frost is to cover them with a blanket or row cover, according to the almanac. Row covers can be found at garden stores in varying weights and thicknesses. Bedsheets, drop cloths and medium-weight fabrics are also good to use. Do not use plastic.
Drape the covers loosely over the plant to allow for air circulation, and don’t allow the fabric to touch the plant. Cover plants in the early evening, when the winds die down, and remove them the next morning when the temperatures begin to rise, per the almanac.
Frost will kill a tender annual plant like a zinnia.
Other suggestions include:
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Mulch low plantings: Plants close to the ground can be covered with mulch or straw to protect them until the danger of frost has passed.
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Water everything: Moist soil holds more heat than dry soil, per the almanac. It also keeps the air above it about 5 degrees warmer.
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Build cold frames: Cold frames, bottomless boxes placed over plants to protect from frost, can be temporary or permanent structures in the garden.
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Protect root vegetables: In milder areas, root crops can be left in the ground. Put mulch over them to protect them from the frost. In colder regions, or if the ground is likely to freeze solid, dig them up and store them in a cool, dry area.
If you have potted plants or container gardens, move them indoors, suggests Better Homes & Gardens. Moving them to an unheated location, such as a shed or garage, will provide enough protection against early frosts. But if the weather is calling for a freeze, move the plants indoors, where it’s warm.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ohio weather forecast calls for first frost. How to protect your plants
