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Tomatoes do not like the cold, which I learned the hard way. Whether the tomato plant is able to flourish through the frost depends on temperatures, the length of exposed time to the cold and strong wind. Protecting tomatoes from frost is therefore extremely important.
When the soil temperature during daylight exceeds 600F, most of the heat will be retained by the tomato roots even when it cools down in the evening. When mulching tomatoes, the more heat will be retained by the soil, which is beneficial during the winter.
If you are more than eager to keep on harvesting fresh tomatoes through autumn, you can definitely do so. Here are some of your options in protecting tomatoes from frost.
It is important that the covers do not touch the foliage or any part of the tomato plant.
Photo credit: Gavin Anderson
The red color of the plastic cylinders allows light to penetrate inside the teepee. Photosynthesis is even possible inside the teepee. Do not fill the tubes with water up to the rim so it is easier to build the teepee structure.
There are many materials you can use to cover a tomato seedling and protect it from frost.
The small bubbles of the bubble wrap provide enough insulation for the tomato plants. Warm air is trapped between the two layers of plastic. Use a bubble wrap with bigger bubbles and your tomato plant will get more insulation.
Tomatoes do not need light to thrive. At room temperature the tomatoes will become ripe within two weeks.
Regardless of the material you choose for protecting tomatoes from frost, make sure to place the cover in the afternoon and take them off in the morning. Even on cold days, heat can still build up inside the covers. If you do not remove the cover in the morning, your tomato plants will get cooked because of the excessive heat underneath.
All of them worked in protecting tomatoes from frost. Have you tried any other way to protect tomatoes from frost? Share with us your thoughts in the comments section.
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