By Andi Anderson
Cold weather can cause serious damage to fruits and vegetables, especially when a warm spell is followed by a sudden freeze. Once buds start to open in early spring, they become vulnerable to frost, which can kill them and prevent fruit production.
Several factors influence plant damage, including regional climate, terrain, and plant variety. Areas with lake-effect snow may experience different frost conditions than other regions. Lower elevations tend to trap cold air, making plants there more prone to frost damage.
Vegetables are classified as cool-season and warm-season crops. Cool-season vegetables like radish, broccoli, and kohlrabi can survive light frost. However, warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, and squash should only be planted after the last frost.
Small fruits and tree fruits also face cold damage. Extreme cold temperatures below -10°F can harm sensitive crops, including grapes, strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries. Cultivar type, duration of cold, and mulching techniques impact a plant’s survival.
Strawberries, a popular small fruit, need freeze protection like floating row covers, irrigation, or straw mulch to prevent damage.
For tree fruits, pome fruits (apples, pears) are more cold-resistant than stone fruits (peaches, cherries, nectarines, apricots). Peaches are especially vulnerable, and many growers face crop loss due to late freezes.
To protect crops, farmers use row covers, irrigation, and mulching. Understanding plant vulnerability and local climate can help reduce the risk of frost damage, ensuring a healthy harvest each season.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zbynek-pospisil
Categories: Indiana, Crops, Fruits and Vegetables