WARNING: Next week is bringing the COLDEST air of the season to the bulk of the US. This has already been the coldest January in recent memory for the East, especially the Southeast, but if you've been fortunate enough to dodge most of the cold air so far, nobody will be escaping this next cold blast. This, in all likelihood, will be the coldest air of the winter for most of us. If you have not yet prepared your garden and sensitive plants for cold, please, I urge you, prepare now.
While there is still some flexibility in the models, all models agree will be rough. The question is, how rough? The Temperature Anomaly Map posted above is the GFS model, but GDPS shows a far worse picture and the Euro model shows worse temps in the Deep South. It looks like the worst cold will happen between January 19-23.
*Protect your garden*. *Protect any trees/shrubs that are sensitive to cold.* Temps will not warm back up in the day to help them recover. All the items you need are linked in the video description of that video, but for ease, here they are:
My entire vegetable garden and all my citrus and avocado trees have been under covers for over 2 weeks straight. That is the beauty of agricultural fabric and my system. The covers breathe: they let in fresh air, light and precipitation, so you don't have to take them off and put them back on every day. Set up your water barrels and incandescent lights. Automate the incandescent lights on a timer, put the bags/covers on, and relax. Just check them each morning and evening to make sure the wind doesn't blow anything off.
I do not recommend using fabric thinner than 1.0oz/sq.yd for cold protection. It is thin and tears easily. I prefer a thickness of 1.5oz/sq.yd or thicker for good protection and tear resistance.
Please note the links above are Amazon affiliate links. If you choose to use them, I would earn a small commission from Amazon at no cost to you.
The Millennial Gardener
WARNING: Next week is bringing the COLDEST air of the season to the bulk of the US. This has already been the coldest January in recent memory for the East, especially the Southeast, but if you've been fortunate enough to dodge most of the cold air so far, nobody will be escaping this next cold blast. This, in all likelihood, will be the coldest air of the winter for most of us. If you have not yet prepared your garden and sensitive plants for cold, please, I urge you, prepare now.
While there is still some flexibility in the models, all models agree will be rough. The question is, how rough? The Temperature Anomaly Map posted above is the GFS model, but GDPS shows a far worse picture and the Euro model shows worse temps in the Deep South. It looks like the worst cold will happen between January 19-23.
You have a little to prepare. Please watch my recent video on cold protection HERE: https://youtu.be/KRLBg7fjpeg?si=NxNy7...
*Protect your garden*. *Protect any trees/shrubs that are sensitive to cold.* Temps will not warm back up in the day to help them recover. All the items you need are linked in the video description of that video, but for ease, here they are:
Light/Med Row Cover, 1.05oz/yd, 10x33FT, CLEARANCE DEAL: amzn.to/4hdz5fg
Thicker Row Cover, 1.5oz/yd, 10x30FT: amzn.to/4fQqT41
Extra Thick Row Cover, 1.77oz/yd, 10x33FT: amzn.to/4f01kfI
Plant Jacket, 72"x72", 1.5oz/yd (Smaller Young Tree Size): amzn.to/41erok6
Plant Jacket, 84"x84", 1.5oz/yd (Small-Mid Young Trees): amzn.to/49eyHKq
Plant Jacket, 120"x120", 1.5oz/yd (My Mature Avocado/Citrus Tree Size): amzn.to/41jHMj8
Plant Jacket, 144"x96", 1.5oz/yd (For Tall, Thinner Trees): amzn.to/3OzHvRD
Planket Frost Protection Cover Kit: amzn.to/4iboVwX
King Sized Fitted Sheet: amzn.to/4f1BwQq
C7 Incandescent Outdoor Lights CLEARANCE DEAL: amzn.to/3WgYk8l
C9 Incandescent Outdoor Lights, Clear: amzn.to/4heGKJY
C9 Incandescent Outdoor Lights, Colored: amzn.to/4fYHr9i
Incandescent Outdoor Mini Lights, 100-CT: amzn.to/3CUnlzg
Incandescent Outdoor Mini Lights, 100-CT, 2PK: amzn.to/3Oy1TCM
C9 Incandescent Replacement Bulbs: amzn.to/3Vh184I
BN-LINK Outdoor Wireless 3-Outlet Smart Outlet: amzn.to/4gcfv2p
PVC Snap Clamps, 1/2", 10CT: amzn.to/3Owze11
PVC Snap Clamps, 1/2", 20CT: amzn.to/3ViGstd
PVC Snap Clamps, 1/2", 40CT: amzn.to/4igVCZG
AmbientWeather WS-2000 Weather Station: amzn.to/41cD6eT
Additional Outdoor Weather Sensor, 8-Channel: amzn.to/3ZdWxRZ
Weather Sensor Solar Shield: amzn.to/3B323Pv
Full Amazon Store: www.amazon.com/shop/themillennialgardener
My entire vegetable garden and all my citrus and avocado trees have been under covers for over 2 weeks straight. That is the beauty of agricultural fabric and my system. The covers breathe: they let in fresh air, light and precipitation, so you don't have to take them off and put them back on every day. Set up your water barrels and incandescent lights. Automate the incandescent lights on a timer, put the bags/covers on, and relax. Just check them each morning and evening to make sure the wind doesn't blow anything off.
I do not recommend using fabric thinner than 1.0oz/sq.yd for cold protection. It is thin and tears easily. I prefer a thickness of 1.5oz/sq.yd or thicker for good protection and tear resistance.
Please note the links above are Amazon affiliate links. If you choose to use them, I would earn a small commission from Amazon at no cost to you.
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 372