Frost Advisory: Protecting Your Garden From Early Season Cold
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By David Harrison, World-Today-News.com
Gardeners across Maine and New Hampshire are bracing for a significant temperature drop this weekend, with widespread frost expected. Overnight lows are forecast to dip into the 30s, and even the upper 20s in the deeper valleys, posing a threat to late-season plants.
Freeze Warnings and Advisories in Effect
The national Weather Service has issued freeze warnings for tonight in northern Oxford, Franklin, and Somerset counties in Maine. Frost advisories are in effect for areas just south of these counties. Specifically, towns like Fryeburg, Berlin, and Rumford are expected to see temperatures near the freezing mark, putting inland areas at high risk of frost formation. Remember, frost can form when temperatures reach around 36 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sunday morning is expected to bring similar conditions, potentially a degree or two colder. Low to mid-30s will be common, particularly away from the coastal regions.
Understanding First Frost Timing
The timing of the first frost varies across the region. Historically, September is the moast common month for the first frost to occur in northern areas, and also interior York and Cumberland counties in Maine. Further south, along the coast and extending up through Augusta and Bangor, the first frost typically arrives in October.
Records show that the earliest freeze on record in the area occurred on August 17th, 1979, in Rangeley, Maine. Fryeburg experienced its earliest freeze on September 1st, 2002. However, the majority of locations typically experience their first frost sometime in the middle of September.
Protecting Your Garden: Practical steps
If you’re hoping to extend your growing season for a few more weeks, there are several steps you can take to protect your plants from the impending cold:
- Water Thoroughly: Moist soil retains heat better than dry soil. Water your garden deeply before nightfall.
- Cover Your Plants: Use sheets, blankets, or frost cloths to cover vulnerable plants. Ensure the covering extends to the ground to trap heat.
- Cluster and Consolidate: Grouping plants together creates a microclimate that can definitely help retain warmth.
- move Indoors (If Possible): For smaller, portable plants, bringing them indoors is the most effective way to protect them from the cold.
- Proximity to the House: If bringing plants indoors isn’t an option, positioning them close to the house can benefit from the building’s retained heat.
This weekend’s cold snap serves as a reminder of the changing seasons. Taking these preventative measures can help safeguard your garden and potentially extend your harvest.
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