psychedelictripper
Well-Known Member
There are some things you could do the next time this happens but you'd certainly have to be prepared in advance. Let's start with the more sophisticated approaches. Solexx greenhouse covering has an excellent rf rating that exceeds anything I've heard about. It's very expensive though. Don't know if they have a Craigslist in Canada but possible someone out there would be willing to part with a small quantity they have on hand? Just a theory but doesn't hurt to ask.
The next is polycarbonate panels. Less expensive, excellent rf rating, stiffer and harder to work with.
The previous 2 basically require you make a green house that will need ventilation.
The next is row cover cloth. These come in several thicknesses and are sold mostly online at places such as Garden Supply. Unlike the 1st two materials I do have experience with these in freezing weather. My experience is that you really need to tuck the covers in because if you let a little cold air in that part of the plant will be zapped. If you could build a little dome over your plants or green house and use the heavy weight version of this cloth you can probably protect your plants unless you get the killing frost.
Now there are a few ways around this but will take lots of preparation and effort. A light frost is the 32 degree, 28 degree type. It will stunt all sorts of plants but wont kill the cells. It's when the temps start to really dip you get the kill. In this situation you need to add a way for heat to be released at night inside your greenhouse. 2 basic ideas come to mind. One is water. Unlike citrus growers you dont want to wet the plants. Instead you want to fill jugs with hotwater and place them inside the greenhouse. At night the water will let off heat. The other is to use either rocks or bricks that you have heated up. I believe bricks have much better insulation properties. i would boil them just prior to placing them on the ground around the plants or even on an over rack or whatever. You could also camp out in your greenhouse with your dog. Same principle.
The next is polycarbonate panels. Less expensive, excellent rf rating, stiffer and harder to work with.
The previous 2 basically require you make a green house that will need ventilation.
The next is row cover cloth. These come in several thicknesses and are sold mostly online at places such as Garden Supply. Unlike the 1st two materials I do have experience with these in freezing weather. My experience is that you really need to tuck the covers in because if you let a little cold air in that part of the plant will be zapped. If you could build a little dome over your plants or green house and use the heavy weight version of this cloth you can probably protect your plants unless you get the killing frost.
Now there are a few ways around this but will take lots of preparation and effort. A light frost is the 32 degree, 28 degree type. It will stunt all sorts of plants but wont kill the cells. It's when the temps start to really dip you get the kill. In this situation you need to add a way for heat to be released at night inside your greenhouse. 2 basic ideas come to mind. One is water. Unlike citrus growers you dont want to wet the plants. Instead you want to fill jugs with hotwater and place them inside the greenhouse. At night the water will let off heat. The other is to use either rocks or bricks that you have heated up. I believe bricks have much better insulation properties. i would boil them just prior to placing them on the ground around the plants or even on an over rack or whatever. You could also camp out in your greenhouse with your dog. Same principle.
