What is considered a Hard freeze?

[stef]

Dear Folks. I sure show my ignorance with some of my questions, don't I?

But, I just like to learn things and there's always someone here with wisdom to share. (o:

Anyway, my question is: what is considered a hard freeze?
Here in NWPA we've had incredibly warm weather; upper 70's, and even into the mid 80's.

However, the weather forecast this week is calling for a couple nights in the low 30's and upper 20's. There is a wonderful apple orchard nearby which was completely wiped out last year due to a late frost.

So, how low of temperatures can blooming fruit trees (apples in particular) withstand?


stef

[AuntKitty]

Here in north Florida it is temps of 26 or below for more than a couple of hours. I don't know if its the same everywhere though.

Kitty

[Bearfootfarm]

It's when temps fall to 32 or below for several hours

[ronbre]

freezing is 32 degrees F...sometimes plants can withstand below that if they are wet, or watered right before the sun hits them..or if it is cloudy..snowing or sleeting..but a hard freeze is when it drops below freezing and water freezes..

the cells of the plants hold water which freezes and breaks the cells..if they are wet or watered..that will prevent that from happening..sometimes..depending on the plant, conditions and hardiness.

frost is when a white frost forms on the plants, windshields, etc..most plants can survive a light frost if they are watered or wet..but not all..some are super super tender to any frost..

freeze is when the water in the plant freezes, below 32 degrees any plant CAN freeze..but the conditions of the plant and surrounding the plant may prevent freezing of the plant to much lower temps..

generally if you get a thin layer of ice on your birdbath top..that is a freeze that will damage unprotected tender plants...

if you see a layer of white frost on the plants and want to try to save them..spray them with cool water..wet them down good..to melt the frost..you may be able to save them.

frost damage appears differently on different plants..but say strawberries..if the flower is damaged the center will turn black..pull that blossom off and a new blossom will likely take it's place..blackened blossoms will not bear decent berries, if they bear at all they will be misshappen and have dense seedy spots.

[blooba]

In FL to protect fruit trees and plants from a hard freeze they spray them with water to form an ice barrier for the overnight freeze. That will keep the temp @ 32 instead of getting in the 20's

[Paquebot]

Hard freeze: "A freeze sufficiently long and severe to destroy seasonal vegetation and lead to ice formation in standing water...."

Martin

[highlands]

We refer to it being a hard freeze when it makes the ground crunchy, freezes puddles, etc. Otherwise it's just a frost. It actually has to get quite a bit below 32°F to create a frost and lower still to create a hard freeze. Definitions probably vary regionally.

Cheers

-Walter
Sugar Mountain Farm
Pastured Pigs, Sheep & Kids
in the mountains of Vermont
Read about our on-farm butcher shop project:
http://SugarMtnFarm.com/butchershop
http://SugarMtnFarm.com/csa

[Johnny Dolittle]

If it kills my Tomato plants that is a frost
If it kills my Brassicas that is a freeze

[Joshie]

A hard freeze is when the ground gets hard because of freezing weather.