Just as we were beginning to think that Spring was here to stay, a brief return to a winter that never was! It is always wise to prepare for a potential cold snap in the Front Range! According to BoulderCast weather, a strong cold front arrives Friday; a colder Canadian trough with potential for accumulating wet snow at ALL elevations.
A Friday night freeze is likely, with lows in the 20s for the Plains and teens in the Foothills. Another freeze may occur Saturday night. Since it is still early in the season, you have have not planted many tender plants yet, but Harlequin’s has both the protocol and the tools that you need to protect your plantings. From in-stock row covers to time-tested strategies, Harlequin’s can help.
SOLAR CAPS provide a personal greenhouse for your tomato starts and other veggies and herbs protecting them from the cold temperatures. We are well stocked with frames and replacement bags. We’ve had great success using them on our tomatoes and we love Solar Caps! See Eve’s demonstration of setting up a solar cap!
ROW COVER will give you a few degrees warmer temperature, protection from the wind for seed beds, tender seedlings, and transplants. The fabrics can be “floated” over your rows or beds, using weights of various kinds at the edges to keep them in place, and can also be used to cover garden tunnel frames. It can also be wrapped directly around a tomato cage that is positioned over a plant.
Harlequin’s Gardens sells pre-cut or custom-cut lengths of row cover fabric in two weights: ‘Seed Guard’ (.5oz) and Ensulate (1.5 oz). Properly handled, Seed Guard should last at least one season. Ensulate can easily last several years and gives more protection from low temperatures.
OVERTURNED POTS can also be used to help protect your vulnerable plants from breaking under the snow. For extra insulation, stuff bubble wrap into the bottom of the pot before placing it over your plant. Placing a rock or a brick on top will help secure the pot against heavy winds. We have some used containers that are available for a small donation. Remember to uncover your plants as the temperatures warm back up!
IRRIGATION. You may have not yet turned your irrigation on for the season, but just in case you have, Remember to turn your irrigation system off prior to the cold temperatures, and then back on afterwards. Underground systems and pipes should be fine as the ground is still very warm.
If temperatures are below 30˚F, you should protect your backflow to prevent freezing. An easy way to do so is to wrap it in a couple towels, then cover it with a black trash bag. The towel provides insulation, and the trash bag will keep it dry so it can do its job.