Late spring frost is an issue that all growers and gardeners in cooler regions of the country must take into consideration while protecting their harvests. Sure, crops like broccoli and lettuce can withstand a light frost, but many other plants are incapable of sustaining such harsh conditions. Being a successful grower means preparing for the worst case scenario in order to ensure that safety and protection of your crops. Exposing plants like squash and cucumber to frost is a recipe for disaster, as these warm season crops cannot handle these conditions. When the late spring freeze hits, many growers lose thousands of dollars all because they were ill-prepared.

“Plant after all frost hazards have passed” is a warning that you will likely find on seed packaging. Nevertheless, far too many gardeners glance right passed that warning and ignore the challenges that come with late spring freeze. Growers should keep in mind the following as they get ready to tackle late spring freeze head-on:

• Maintain proper hydration for plants
• Look to the National Climate Data Center for a guideline on late spring freeze in your region
• Download a weather app to stay up-to-date with weather conditions and potential changes in those conditions
• Be generous with mulch in your garden
• Give extra attention to protecting your perennial plants
• Buy a frost cloth or sheet to insulate your plants

There have been many occasions where a late spring freeze is harmless. However, those growers who fail to plan will be left at a huge loss if this year’s late spring freeze is harsh. With all of the time, energy, and dedication that it takes to maintain a thriving harvest, it would be shame for all of that hard work to go to waste. Take your time to prepare for a potential late spring freeze now before it’s too late.