For the last two nights, we had a really weird event. We're a couple weeks past our final frost date, and on the southern edge of TN, and we had a freak FREEZE, then a following light frost! It got down to 37 on early Tuesday morning, and 35 on early Wednesday morning! This was apparently an advective freeze, which is caused by a sudden wind blowing cold air and clouds into the area. I was watching the weather with interest, but then I saw this. The Barn Nursery is one of my favorites here in Chattanooga. When they say that they are bringing in all of THEIR plants, I know we're in for trouble. I raced home on Monday night, bend some PVC into curves over the garden beds, and began cutting black plastic down to size and stapling it over the top (the PVC kept the plastic off the plants). After that, all I could do is hope for the best.
I came home this evening and removed all the plastic to get a look at the plants, and to give them a good watering. I watered them VERY well Monday before I covered them, but I didn't want to open up the plastic when it was so cold and shock the plants too much. Everything seemed to come through okay- even my tomato seedling. The Genovese Basil took the worst hit. There is a good bit of frost damage and black leaves, and one plant is obviously dead. There are a few more damaged ones that could probably pull through, but I may end up replacing them anyway.
I came home this evening and removed all the plastic to get a look at the plants, and to give them a good watering. I watered them VERY well Monday before I covered them, but I didn't want to open up the plastic when it was so cold and shock the plants too much. Everything seemed to come through okay- even my tomato seedling. The Genovese Basil took the worst hit. There is a good bit of frost damage and black leaves, and one plant is obviously dead. There are a few more damaged ones that could probably pull through, but I may end up replacing them anyway.