The Ugly side of Winter Gardening in AZ Zone9b

I have never experienced frost in Arizona like I have had this week. You guys know I am crazy for my tomatoes and essentially all that was damaged were tomatoes. I had such high hope for those heirlooms that would have such a huge start but such is life!
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[@jameshouse1268]

Also, plastic conducts the cold so those coverings don’t help. I also keep in mind that this is nature’s way of natural pruning, particularly for shrubs. After frost damage, don’t prune right away. The “burnt” foliage can insulate the plant for any future cold nights. Prune when frost potential is over. Funny story about all the sheets…my wife looks out and sees all the mounds and it reminds her of the snow mounds back in Illinois!🥶 Thanks for your input and take care always!

[@AllPurposeMom]

Ha ha sheet mounds to me are so much more preferable to snow mounds!! Great tips, James thanks for sharing!

[@sandyvandy6483]

Incandescent Christmas lights! I hang them over my raised bed. It keeps them warm. Paired it with a sheet and they’re doing really well. I also think my backyard’s microclimate may be a bit warmer than the forecast temperature. I have one tomato and a couple of strawberries against the house so they get radiant heat. I’m sorry you’ve suffered so much damage. :(

[@AllPurposeMom]

Yes!! I used those lights the first year I planted wY early. I need to round some up for the future!!

[@gardenreel]

Great share👌👍

[@creinicke1000]

I had to laugh when I saw the sheets and old fabric.. clothespins.. wire cages and supports trying to keep plants safe. I learned something.. I didn't realize sheets touching would be a major problem! I expect damage.. but it's part of winter in AZ. 🤔

[@AllPurposeMom]

Lol the sheets have worked before this was a humdinger! We woke up at 30 and 31 on these days. You know I'm obsessed with my tomatoes 😄🤣

[@ktriley30]

Sorry to know you lost some plants but your fortunate to be able to grow peppers and tomatoes outside at this time of year this is impossible in Ireland in Winter ours def come form the supermarket I do love your positive outlook Happy New Year to you and your family from County Armagh ☘️☘️☘️

[@AllPurposeMom]

So true!! I'm a spoiled brat for some tomatoes 🤣

[@brighthorizonhomestead3708]

yes. this one was pretty bad. I lost a few squash plants and two tomato plants. was able to cover my big tomato bed and lettuce to keep it safe from this weeks frost. but for the very short period of time we have to cover some plants and make our yards look "ugly" it is sure nice being able to grow veggies this time of year.

[@AllPurposeMom]

Amen to that, the privilege of year round gardening is to sweet to wallow in grief!!

[@mydesertbackyardgarden3523]

I lost most of my tomatoes, my large luffa, all but one of my basil(I plant it all over my garden), a cucumber and pole beans. Also some squash i was going to pull anyway. I was lazy, and didn’t cover anything. Last year I diligently covered everything if it dropped below 38°. My garden is so much bigger this year, that I don’t know that I could have covered all my tomatoes. Everything else does okay in a frost. Brassicas seem to like the cold, root crops, peas, etc. Look at all those beautiful leaves in your yard!! Free mulch!

[@AllPurposeMom]

I am mulch rich ha ha and I got two tarps full from the neighbors across the street!!

[@sierran12]

Thank you! I had my coverings touching my plants and they did not fair well lesson learned! I will watch them for a couple of weeks! I watered deeply and it may have helped but did not prevent damage. My plants look worse than yours. I appreciate your honesty it helps us all learn!

[@AllPurposeMom]

🙌🙌

[@judithrincon7298]

I used beach towels and moving blankets (Uhaul type) and everything seems to have survived just fine. even the ones touching the material. My rational was - what would keep me warm if I had to sleep outside. 😂

[@AllPurposeMom]

@@judithrincon7298 that's much more solid rational than my sheets ha ha 😂 Nice work!!

[@OfftoShambala]

My squash plants are toast and some of my tomatoes may not come back. Next year, I hope to be able to do a better job protecting them.

[@AllPurposeMom]

Agreed!

[@yvettedominguez940]

Girl I’ve had so much trial and error with this but for sure frost cloth makes a huge difference. Try putting all your pots closer to the garden beds that need frost protection, helps build a new microclimate that they can kind of rely on each other for warmth, string some cheap Christmas lights through out the pots and garden bed and try placing them more at the base of the pot to protect the stem. Amazon usually has decent priced ones frost cloth. My neighbors probably think I’m crazy if they peek over and see my frost protection experiments lol

[@AllPurposeMom]

Frost cloth is on my list!!

[@v.mishrasart43]

Nice👍👏😊 video👍👍

[@lesiajohnson8550]

I didn't have anything in the ground and the ones I had we put in the garage. 👍🏾❤❤❤

[@AllPurposeMom]

Nice job Lesia, I may build a heated she shed for mine next year 😜

[@jameshouse1268]

Maybe, just maybe, this will be our cold snap for the season! Here are a couple tips from my gardening that seem to help: cover in the afternoon (it helps to retain the heat built up in the soil)

[@AllPurposeMom]

My month long looks into the next two months agrees with this prediction 🙌🏽 we just never know when something will sneak up!!

[@OfftoShambala]

I was thinking cutting back on water would help. I thought everything you’ve done here would have protected those plants… I feel your pain.

[@plantinginthegarden2538]

🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 tell me about it lol it was 26 and felt like 16f in connecticut 🤣🤣

[@AllPurposeMom]

🤣🙌🙌 I'm still cold 😄

[@plantinginthegarden2538]

@@AllPurposeMom yep even though it's cold I am already planning my garden and buying seeds 🤣

[@AllPurposeMom]

@@plantinginthegarden2538 me too, me too!

[@rachellandnystrom6887]

Love your videos so much! Huge help to fellow desert gardeners. You mentioned in another video you had a garden consultant come to you home. Can you share the name/contact info?

[@AllPurposeMom]

Of course it's Kristi Caggiano she's on Instagram as @miraclehavengarden if you message me on Instagram or email me [e-mail] I'll shoot you her #

[@rachellandnystrom6887]

@@AllPurposeMom Thank you! I'm not on Insta, so I'll email you. Appreciate it!