It’s May, and the temps are forecast to drop to 30 degrees next week.

Well, today is May10 th, and I’ve got two “Early Girl” type Tomato plants already planted in the ground.  

According to the literature, May 15, is the date  to start planting your annual garden plants in the ground; called ” the last average frost date” 

Eek, I just read on a weather forecast through “Facebook “from Adam Joseph on the Philadelphia news page that a frost is impending on Monday coming; the temperature with drop from 80 degrees to 30 degrees.

What is the plan ? Protect those tomato plants.  Check all the resources ( on-line , of  course, Google is my BFF).

Steps to take when frost or freeze threaten tender plants:

    • Bring Indoors: Frost-tender plants in containers should be brought inside during cold weather. Dig up tender bulbs and store them in a cool dry place.

    • Protect Tender Sprouts: Cover tender plants overnight with an inverted bucket or flower pot, or with a layer of mulch. Be sure to uncover them in the morning when the temperature rises above freezing.
  • Cover Shrubs and Trees: Larger plants can be covered with fabric, old bed sheets, burlap, or commercial frost cloths (avoid using plastic). For best results, drape the cover over a frame to keep it from touching the foliage. Fabric covers help to trap heat from the soil, so make sure your cover drapes to the ground. Uncover them in the morning when the temperature rises above freezing.

Irrigate during the potential frost


people claim that watering the frost off plants

prevents frost damage. This is partially true.

As mentioned above, watering plants helps

raise their temperature and the air around them

to that of the water. In addition, as water

freezes, heat is released; 80 calories for each

gram of water that freezes. Therefore,

watering plants before they are injured from

frost can help keep their internal temperature

above freezing. A single application at the

coldest part of the night (generally just before

sunrise) may be enough on 30- to 32-degree F

nights. On colder nights it may be necessary

to apply overhead irrigation for an extended

period of time, allowing actual ice formation on

the plants. In this case, irrigation must

continue until morning temperatures rise above

32 F and the ice melts. It is important to note

that once frost damage occurs, watering does

not help.

Resources:   Understanding Frost

From Cornell Cooperative Extension, Chemung County

Spring, and gardening

Last weekend , we bought two tomato plants from a close by gardening supply store, along with a container of Pansies in hues of purple. 

Monday started out as a rain filled day, so shortly after I arrived home in the evening,7:30 pm, my husband went outside in his yellow wind breaker jacket to plant the two tomato plants and the oregano plant as well.  That evening, I asked, is it easier to dig when the soil is still wet from the rain? Yes, he said. 

Surprise. Yesterday ( Tuesday ) ,was a beautiful sunny day, once my days’ appointments completed, I came outside in the early evening to enjoy some cool spring air while sitting at the patio table with dinner.  This is what I observed in my little garden beside the patio. The three silver metal tomato cages are evenly spaced in the ground , however, both of the tomatoe plants leaves are drooping; I will playPost it day by day, to see if somehow that they revive     .

We might have to start over with new plants.


2013 appeared to be a bad year for tomato plants. Purchasing the greenhouse grown tomato plants from varied sellers, it was common, due to a wet and rainy early spring, that the plants failed to thrive.

In conversations with many people at work who are garden ers, that it was a poor production year for tomatoes.

I yielded one or 2 tomatoes per 3 plants.

In the garden

Morning glory climbs

Morning glory climbs

NOVEMBER 20, 2008:

Think back to the warm days of summer, the lush green plants, patiently awaiting  the taste of fresh vegetables, on chilly days as these, when the temperature hovers at 29-30 degrees.

In Italian:

Pensi di nuovo ai giorni caldi d ell ‘ estate, le piante verdi fertili, in attesa pazientemente il gusto della verdura fresca, i giorni freddi come questi, quando la temperatura se libra i 29-30 gradi.

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