flopsy........ try to find a bale of straw or hay at a nursery or HD type.

Straw is best because the stems are hollow, creating an insulating property. Spread it all over the plants while you are fluffing it up so its all loose.

A tarp, plastic or sheet should also work. This front might last a few days so the temp along with frost are the dangers.

Tom

I have used row covers in the past to protect plants. I actually used 2-3 layers of row covers to protect bean blossoms, temps down to 24 and kept the blooms.

For several plants, I would advise straw "fluffed" over the plants and then on top of the straw, a cotton type sheet, NOT plastic. The sheet can stay on even after the sun is up, if need be. preferably removed after the sun is up, but it can stay until this cold spell is over.

After the spell is over, remove sheet and gently move straw back from plant. I would not remove the straw, but keep it as mulch. After the season is done, rake the straw up before fall tilling. The straw boggs down most tillers.

If you have a way to cover the plants, do that. Also, string a row of Christmas lights amongst the plants and leave the lights on all night and into the day. They don't make much heat, but it's better than nothing and it'll make all your neighbors think aliens have landed in your back yard; what fun!

You might do a search on this as there have been many excellent suggestions. I've been using clear, thick plastic which has worked well. The plants have been especially appreciative of being out of this infernal wind that won't quit this year. If you go that route, I've been told to keep the plastic off the leaves. Some have used heat sourcs from Chrismas lights to gallons of hot water, to heaters, etc. If you use plastic, be careful not to leave them covered all day if we get a heating day because you can cook the plants. E.G. Tuesday morning is prediced to be 32 in up hear, but warming up to 68. Thick plastic, sun and 68 could make a really hot environment.

Grrrr...I can't believe it's April and I have to cover my plants again.

My favorite low-tech solution for small plants is to take a plastic grocery bag, use it as a liner for 1 gallon (or larger) plastic pot, and cover the plant with the pot. I've successfully kept my small tomato plants alive for the past few years with this method. I like it because I can put the covers on and off quickly and I don't have to explain to my wife why I'm dragging all our old sheets and blankets outside. I doubt this solution would work if temps drop to the teens, but for the mid to upper 20's (like I see in the TX hill country) it has worked well.

A lot of people are getting hit last night & tonight with cold temps. If at all possible, move your plants indoors. That's what I had to do.

If you have them or can find them quickly, try light ropes if you don't go with an incandescent light bulb to heat the space. Don't use the LED light ropes since they don't emit any heat, but the others do, particularly if you coil them on the soil at a safe distance from your plants. They are safe in water so there's no worry about moisture.

[Because of the gentle heat they emit, you can also use incandescent light ropes fastened to a shallow container under your soil container for seed germination.]