October 21, 2004 at 8:57 a.m.
Frost Facts
Frost Facts
Apples can handle a hard frost if it doesn’t last too long. In fact, some apples actually sweeten up and as long as you don’t handle them while the frost is on them, they will be undamaged. Apples are stored at about 28 degrees for long periods of time, with no ill effects.
August 20 we had a light frost and I was reminded that some crops can’t handle any frost at all. The pepper plants were really affected. Although it didn’t kill the plants, they were set back, and some blossoms never developed into fruit. The tops on the tomato plants froze off, but that was actually a good thing. With reduced foliage, the sun could hasten the ripening of all those green tomatoes. But tomatoes can’t take a heavy frost, and that’s why they are one of the crops we cover when frost is predicted.
This was an interesting year for fall raspberries. They were slow in ripening, as were many other crops. They were just getting into full production when frost hit, but that the chance we take with fall berries. Usually, when the berries freeze, they get soft and bitter tasting. This year, as in the past, the morning after the frost the berries were hard as marbles. But this year, after it warmed up, I could continue to pick berries with no apparent ill effect. They tasted just fine. It does remain to be seen if the green berries will continue to ripen on the canes. Since they are everbearing with continuous blooms, it’s doubtful they will continue to produce any new berries this year.
Buttercup, acorn and hubbard squash can handle a pretty hard freeze while butternut squash, with its thin skin needs to be protected. Pumpkins can take a hard freeze. I remember a couple of years ago when it got bitterly cold the week before Halloween and growers lost a large part of their crop. As long as it doesn’t get too cold or rainy, pumpkins are still probably better off in the field for a while.
Cold crops, such as broccoli, brussel sprouts, and cabbage can take a lot of cold weather. We try not to start picking brussel sprouts until after a hard frost, as they sweeten up, just like the apples I talked about earlier.
I can remember, as a young boy, digging the beets and carrots just before the ground froze. I don’t plan on waiting that long now, but I hope we have several weeks of nice weather before they need to be dug.
I have talked with several flower growers, who dig their gladiolas, dahlia, and canna bulbs after the first killing frost. But don’t forget, cannas must be treated differently from the others, since the stalks are so thick they must dry off before being dug.
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There are 3 remote drop off sites for samples in the county: Mannions Greenhouse and Floral in Rush City, North Branch Floral and Federated Coop (Cenex) on Highway 8 in Chisago City. There will not be a Master Gardener on site, but these businesses have agreed to hold the samples for pickup.
The Lindstrom Farmers Market is now open. There is a Master Gardener there from 8 a.m.-noon every Saturday.
Other ways to access information: www.extension.umn.edu/county/chisago. Check out the “Hot Topics” box in the middle of the page for current Chisago County Master Gardener news and events.
You can also click on “Ask a Master Gardener” next to the cute little flower on the right hand side of the page. Here you can search 1000s of answers from Master Gardeners around the state. If you don’t find your answer, you can submit a question online or search for University publications.
Bell Museum of Natural History: For information about snakes, skunks, raccoons or other wildlife around your yard, call the wildlife information line at (612) 624-1374 or www.bellmuseum.org.
Master Gardener voice mail: 651-237-3080. Leave a message and a Master Gardener will call you back within a couple of days.
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