Frost early this year?

[NEfarmgirl]

Being in zone 5 and losing all of my beans and beets to grasshoppers I replanted them a couple weeks ago figuring we would have time. I was told by a friend yesterday that we are supposed to get an early frost this year--like in 6 weeks??? I know the weather has been off but frost in the middle of September? I would like to get some broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage out but if it will freeze I don't want to waste my time. Anyone else heard about an early frost???

[Callieslamb]

I haven't heard anything...but with an early frost, it can just kill some plants, then the weather warms up again. I would plant what you want to plant and be prepared to cover it with plastic if needed. The plants you listed will all survive a frost.

[Cheryl in SD]

I would LOVE to wait until the middle of Sept. for frost. Hoop houses are your cold weather friend.

P.S. Your friend could be right about early frost. Our first frost date is Sept. 5th, it frosted last night in parts of my garden. Isn't it 6 weeks early from our 9/5 date? Well, 5 weeks anyway.

[ChristieAcres]

You won't believe that in Seattle, yesterday, all time high of 103 degrees! I am in Seabeck WA, and we hit 102! From no Spring, to the hottest summer ever, for our zone (8b). Weather is getting crazy!

[mommagoose_99]

Check out the NOAA long range forcast for your area. This will give you some idea of the prediction for the next 3 months. You can buy 500 feet of remay for a very reasonable price at www.robertmarvel.com or Silvercreek supply in Pennsylvania. I bought an extra roll to cover my broccoli cauliflower and cabbage transplants. Thay will be set out next week.
Linda

[Backfourty,MI.]

I sure hope we don't get frost the middle of September. Our gardens got off to a late start this spring because of frosts & freezes. Then we've had below normal temp's & cloudy days, etc. We need a late indian summer here. I'm hoping for frost in November!

[MaineFarmMom]

Don't rely on zone for frost dates. They're not related. My first frost date is a little earlier each year.

[steff bugielski]

Linda,
Got a direct link to those long range forecasts. I can't find anything and we are fairly close to each other.

[Cheryl in SD]

It is still July and for the second morning in a row I have below 32 in the garden. I think they may be right. I usually start covering to preven frost damage on Aug. 25th. I had to start July 25th this year. Be ready to cover your beds!

Building a hoop house is not difficult (if 7 children under 15 and one OLD mom can do it, ANYONE can!) And to protect your investment in time & effort, it is so worth it!

[T-Bone 369]

Early frost seems to be the favorite topic in the coffee shops here - the soybean crop went in late this year here due to the rains and all the farmers are real nervous about it getting frosted before it makes. The old timers are thinking about September 20 although I have no idea what they are basing it on. It's going to be a tight run thing.

[NEfarmgirl]

DH was looking into making covers for the garden with pvc and plastic so we may get going on that. I guess I worry too much--this year has been a challange and I worry about getting enough canned and froze to get through the next year. Will look into hoop houses. We have already dug tators and pulled the onions. Tomatoes are still green and small. May be interesting this year!

[frankva]

I did not get a solid killing frost until october last year. But.

The day length and angle of the sun did me in before that.

Fingers crossed!

[MaineFarmMom]

This link might be helpful.