Simple ways to keep frost at bay

By mid-October, night-time temperatures drop below freezing, and it's pretty difficult to keep annuals thriving in my upstate New York garden.  The paradox is, of course, that as the perennial flowers fade, it's key to have the tender plants, and their profusion of blooms, in place in order to keep my outdoor spaces popping with color, and vitality.  Is there a way to protect these delicate plants enough to prolong the life of the garden?  You bet there is, and it's easier than I could have imagined.

Obviously, a little TLC goes a long way in preserving annuals.  Moving plants indoors or covering them with sheets or plastic is still the best way to ensure their survival, but what I discovered is that I have so many annuals on my property that it was taking me an hour to cover and transport the plants.  I had no desire to dedicate that kind of time to the cause every single day, so I discovered a better way: water.

Though it may seem counterintuitive, water is the cornerstone to keeping large quantities of annual plants from damaging frost.  Here's how:

One of the reasons plants and fruits are damaged or killed by cold temperatures is that the cold draws essential moisture from inside the plants, effectively freeze-drying them.  Spraying plants with water before a frost gives the plants the opportunity to stock up on their supply, becoming more resistant to the effects of dehydration.  Spraying or misting your plants also leaves a coating of water on the outside of the plant. When this turns to ice, it can insulate the plant from the cold.

                     

The colder it gets on the surface of the leaf, the more damage is done to the plant. A coating of ice keeps the temperature on the surface of the leaf to the freezing point of water or slightly below. The plant will only need to withstand temperatures of 30 to 32 Fahrenheit even if air temperatures drop further. 

Didn't get a chance to hose down your annuals before the temperatures dipped below freezing?  No worries!  Simply set your alarm for an early-morning hour before the sun rises, and douse the plants at that time.  The effect will be the same.  It's vital to water them before sunrise though--when the sun hits the frost-laden leaves, the water expands and damages the plant tissue, so hosing the frost off prevents a lot of damage.