skip to main content

Frost Risk versus Freeze Risk

12 years ago

I just checked the weather report for my area and there are no frost risks for the next 10 days. However, there is a moderate freeze risk for tonight (35 degrees) and a low freeze risk for tomorrow night.

What is the difference between frost and freeze?

I have several hostas in pots throughout the garden. Should I bring them in?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

hosta_freak
12 years ago
We are way past our frost risk here in NC. Freeze risk can be worse because just covering them with something,doesn't stop them from freezing. In my case,I have found that my hostas can survive freeze risks down to 32,sometimes 31 degrees with no damage. Frost risk can be averted just by covering with cardboard boxes,to keep the frost off the leaves,but uncovered,can damage leaves pretty bad. That's what I have found over the years. Phil
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
12 years ago
hey

you are delusional .. if you think a weatherman can predict.. with any certainty ... 10 days out for frost or freeze ...

you better be checking every night right after dinner ...

both cause cold damage... its just a matter of degree ...

we have seen many recent pix with superficial damage to a leaf or two .. that is frost... superficial ...

freeze ... the entire plant is turned into a heap of gelatinous goo [think a lettuce head left int eh fridge for a month] ... and basically dies back to the crown .. or ground level ... and must regenerate the plant from dormant buds ...

make sense .. or should i try again ...

ANYTHING ... to cover .. and keep the cold off the leaf will protect... not only does it trap soil heat.. but also warms the plant ever so slightly ... a sheet ... paper.. a box .. bucket.. pot.. pan.. anything.. that wont blow away..

ken

ps: any time a freeze is predicted .. it starts with a light frost which keeps on building to the freeze .... so to suggest that you have a potential freeze but no frost.. is a weatherman doing you a disfavor ...
Related Discussions
More frost risk next week?
Q
Comments (5)
Well, it wouldn't surprise me. April was colder than March for SE Michigan, the first time this has happened since records were kept starting in 1870. Seems to me we're in a "brave new world" of weather. Fasten your seatbelts, it appears that it's going to be a bumpy ride. Alas, I was wandering around in the rain the other night (Monday) after I took care of my critters, looking at the results of the 26 degree morning Sunday. I think the saddest sight was my Shellbark Hickory, which was full of bright green new leaves, male catkins and female buds emerging as of Saturday. By Monday night, they were dark brown, limp, and hanging. Sad. The tree will push new growth, but no nuts for the tree rats from that tree this year.
...See More
Risking Planting Too Early?
Q
Comments (8)
I'm in metro Atlanta. Basil would probably be fine outside in absence of overnight temps lower than 40, but it will just sit there doing nothing. (I have in past springs gotten ahead of myself and transplanted too early.) It really needs warm soil temps to grow. I have Genovese basil started in peat pots but don't plan to put it into containers outside until end of April earliest. You didn't mention which other herbs you want to move. I have sage, oregano, mint, thyme and rosemary which stays in ground or in containers through winter. All are mature plants and out of dormancy now putting on new growth. That said, I have some sage, thyme and mint starts that I'm growing for a couple of friends. They are young plants, so I leave them outside during the daytime but still bring them in at night. I will start leaving them outside when night temps stay 50 degrees or higher. If you planted lots of each of the herbs, why not try moving some to containers. If you have backups you can afford to lose a few. I'm hoping as always for no late cold snaps, so if we are lucky with weather, you may not lose a single plant.
...See More
Freeze Watch, Frost Adv for Much of OK Tues AM
Q
Comments (11)
This afternoon while I was out playing in the mud in my garden and covering up all my plants, the NWS issued a Frost Advisory for part of NE OK. If you are in NE OK, you can see it at the Tulsa NWS office's webpage, linked below. Heather, Thanks for the advective/radiational explanation. Radiational cooling always seems to give us either worse frost or at least more plant damage--and in the early years here, I wasn't good at figuring out it would happen. Now, I cover up stuff more often but the end result is less damage. I've discovered the floating row cover is my favorite garden helper. With your new plants, I'd go ahead and cover them up if you have something to cover them up with. It wouldn't hurt the plants and might prevent another setback. I love my wax myrtles but I might have chosen something else if I'd realized how often they'd have cold damage, which is about every other year here in southern OK. It was so cold out there in the garden with light rain falling on me and the wind blowing, no sunshine and I was ankle deep in wet clay that kept trying to suck my Crocs off my feet! It had better frost tonight or I'll be irritated that I spent all that time covering up plants for nothing. (Well, not really irritated because at least I can sleep well knowing the plants are covered.) Jay, They're saying 36 for us, so I do expect some frost. Last night we only went 1 degree colder than forecast so maybe tonight we'll be similarly close to our forecast low. Your place often goes warmer than expected, but mine tends to go lower than expected. At least we both know what to expect. I would like to resume planting by Wed., but we've had 2.7" of rain since the latest round began very early Sunday morning, so now I have water standing everywhere. I'm not complaining because we surely do need the moisture, but it does mean I won't be able to plant anything else for a while. We'll probably be 85 or 90 in 4 or 5 days and then the mosquitoes will start hatching out. One thing about our weather is that it changes so quickly you don't get bored with it. Dawn Here is a link that might be useful: Tulsa Office of the NWS Webpage
...See More
severe weather and newly poured foundation- risk?
Q
Comments (13)
Well good - renovator showed up with some helpful info! :) It sounds like it should be fine! We were on a mix in the old house but mostly clay - new one is 3.5 miles away and it's 100% sand. If we were in clay we wouldn't even be able to walk up the driveway with all of this rain. It would be a slick soupy mess! The wind was incredible wasn't it? Branches down but no large trees that I could tell (in the dark). I hope all is well by you. edit: Our goal (remember we are gcing so........) is by spring break. We lost 3 weeks so far with it sitting waiting on framing and then several days more due to constant rain. Otherwise things have moved along pretty well. This post was edited by Autumn.4 on Mon, Nov 18, 13 at 7:35
...See More
ctopher_mi
12 years ago
Whether you get a frost or a freeze is mostly based on the dew point, or the water holding capacity of the air. If you get cold, dry air there is a greater chance that things will freeze. This is the worst scenario you can get. If the dew point is near the freezing mark there is a greater likelihood of frost as it gets cold, but the air may not actually get below freezing and then you get a frost buildup on surfaces, but not a freeze.

I suspect that the dew point in your area will be pretty low tonight, so there is a chance of getting a freeze without seeing any actual frost - hence a freeze advisory rather than a frost advisory. Yes, it can freeze without actually getting frost.
Gesila
Original Author
12 years ago
Ken,

We own an ice cream store, so I check the weather every morning. I also do a 10 day forecast once a week when putting together my schedule for employees.

So today, I while on weather.com, I noticed that they had a gardening guide and pulled it up. That's where I saw the frost and freeze risk. Logically, I thought that a frost would occur before a freeze and was confused. But, being an inexperienced gardener I thought maybe there was something that I was missing.

I should have known better, I can forecast the rain better here in Western Michigan than they can. Just pull the radar up, check the wind direction, and watch the clouds come over Lake Michigan.

Thanks for your input.

Gesila
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
12 years ago
so I check the weather every morning.

===>>> morning will be too late.. to protect them.. i think you are going to have to start checking temps and dew point AFTER DINNER ...

ken
kentstar
12 years ago
Throw an old blanket, sheet or even an overturned pot on them if there's a frost warning. We may face that tonight too. Yikes! Will winter never quit?

I for once am glad mine aren't opened up with their leaves yet. But ther is still risks with curled up ones too I guess.

Reminds me, maybe I'd better check our weather forcast for tonight! :)
in ny zone5
12 years ago
I am only in zone 5a, but Liberty is starting to unfurl, that might not be able to take any frost. The old ones like Royal Standard and Albomarginata probably can handle that.

It seems that early hostas are out of synch with experience and ask for damage. For the last 40 years the rule in West and Upstate NY by neighbors and relatives was not to plant any tender vegetables before Memorial Day. We always went then to nurseries to buy the tomato and pepper plants. One neighbor one year had to buy those three times, got frozen twice because he thought May 15 would be OK.

Last year 3 frost came here the week of May 11, possibly again this year because the historical potential is there! That would be a week from now. I should have saved all the large boxes, instead of recycling, need to look for old blankets! Those large paperbags for yard waste recycling will be good, would need to cut them in half.....
Bernd

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES 13 Risks to Take for True Garden Rewards

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Go ahead, be a rebel. Breaking rules in the garden can lead to more happiness, creativity and connection with the earth

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Garden for Wildlife to Reap Rich Rewards

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

When you plant with animals and insects in mind, you make gardening easier, the planet healthier and yourself more present

HOUSEPLANTS How to Grow Orchids Indoors

By Marianne Lipanovich

Orchids are the exotic aristocrats of the flower world and can make themselves comfortable in almost any home

FIREPLACES Design Workshop: Smart Ways to Store Wood Outdoors

By Eric Reinholdt, Architect

Consider size, location, protection, air circulation and, of course, style for storing your firewood

REGIONAL GARDEN GUIDES California Gardener's March Checklist

Give natives and tropicals a well-deserved spotlight — plus, discover an easy herb that keeps on giving

WINTER GARDENING Pruning Secrets for Exquisite Roses

By Annie Thornton

Encourage gorgeous blooms year after year with this time-tested advice on how to prune your rosebush in winter for health and shape

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Confidential: Glass Cabinet Doors Are a Clear Winner

We look at 9 types of decorative panes and 8 places to use them

FALL GARDENING 7 Reasons Not to Clean Up Your Fall Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Before you pluck and rake, consider wildlife, the health of your plants and your own right to relax

GREEN BUILDING Insulation Basics: Heat, R-Value and the Building Envelope

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Learn how heat moves through a home and the materials that can stop it, to make sure your insulation is as effective as you think

FARM YOUR YARD Hello, Honey: Beekeeping Anywhere for Fun, Food and Good Deeds

By The Best Bees Company

We need pollinators, and they increasingly need us too. Here, why and how to be a bee friend

Sponsored

Fairfax Kitchen Bath

48 Reviews

DC Area's Top Rated Kitchen & Bath Remodeling Experts

More Discussions

Looking for a high nitrogen fertilizer with micronutrients

13

Need help identifying another one please

5

Let the planting begin!

11

Does this look like a Liberty?

7

Help me out here, please

9