Something that happens to all of at some point in our lives if we ever try to garden is, we put out our tomato plants, and then get some extra cold weather. The northern states I would say experience this more than the mid to lower states because their growing season is so much shorter and they try to gain as much time as possible for getting tomatoes.

Here in the ‘south’, about the worst thing that can happen is we get a night or two of 32 degree weather which can either completely kill or severely damage the plant. In this case, usually a sheet or even newspaper is sufficient for protection from the frost droplets that damage the leaves. This usually will not happen if you plant anytime after tax day, April 15th.

I had an ‘Ask The Pigg’ Question from Mary in Colorado, and she was asking how to protect her tomato plants because they are in a severe cold snap. My suggestion to her is, to get some bamboo or flexible poles and arch them over the plants and get some clear plastic to cover the poles. Yes, it is a small, inexpensive greenhouse. When you have enough plants, this is a great way to even add some days and weeks onto the growing season for your tomato plants. Just watch the daytime heating and air them out if necessary.

I also recommend some organic Tomato Tone from Espoma to help generate some good healthy plants as they get started. Just sprinkle on the soil and water it in.

I have not experienced anything in between these two extremes. If anyone can add some suggestions in there, we all want to learn what they are.

Happy Tomatoes