Protect the Garden at the End of Summer
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We still do not have frost in the forecast, but the nights are distinctly cooler. The good news is this means fewer insects to nibble on our crops, but we still need to give our gardens a little extra attention to keep them growing. Here are a few season-extending tips to protect the garden at the end of summer.
A week or so ago, we woke up to temperatures in the upper-30s, although I know a few other Montana gardens that experienced their first frost. Ugh! Early September is too early. This is why it’s essential to have a plan in case of a frost warning, and more importantly, why adding protection is beneficial to enhance these final weeks of growth.
Floating Row Covers
Any of my readers who have been around for these many years knows that I love floating row covers. These are lightweight bolts of spun-bonded polyester or polypropylene. A certain amount of sunlight can filter through, depending upon the thickness of the fabric, and a heavier row cover adds a solid four degrees to the overall protection. That can be a life-saver on those mornings when the thermometer flirts with freezing.
When the daytime temperatures are staying in the 60s and maybe early 70s, it’s a good time to put the floating row covers on full time. Chances are, everything that needs pollination is already pollinated, and you are providing more conducive growing conditions to wrap up the harvest.
The other option is protecting fall crops, many of which do not need pollination. Keep carrots, beets, chard, spinach, and other fall crops under the cover until — and sometimes even after — snow buries them.
While we don’t need to water as much in the fall, if rain isn’t in the forecast, it’s imperative to either hand-water, run irrigation through the bed, or remove the row cover and use a sprinkler to water the vegetables. Depending on the daytime temperatures, aim for once or twice a week.
Solar Umbrellas Gather the Sunshine
For small beds, solar umbrellas create a greenhouse effect over the vegetables, and are especially good for larger plants, such as peppers and tomatoes.
The simplest models expand like a standard umbrella with a single pole down the center, which is pushed into the ground. Gather the leaves or vines, keeping as many of them as possible within the protective covering. Then, push the umbrella nearly to the ground. If daytime temperatures are still warm (above 60°F), leave at least a few inches of open space at the bottom to prevent overheating and potential damage to your plants.
Break Out the Cold Frame
One of the benefits of building a portable cold frame is that you can move it where you need it. Depending upon its height, you can hold taller plants, or if it’s a shorter model, use it over the bed or row of fall crops.
During warm autumn days, typically above 55°F, open the lid at least a few inches. If it’s in the 70s, ensure the lid is at least a foot open to prevent overheating, but close the lid at night.
While this may seem troublesome, a simple remedy is to use a heat-activated lid opener. This device features a heat-activated cylinder that contains a special wax. When the cylinder warms, it expands, pushing the arm and opening the window. This way, you don’t have to worry about the sun coming out and frying your plants.
You do have to consider one aspect of the window openers, though: when you attach this device, you cannot open the cold frame window completely. This might make it difficult to take flats of plants in and out of the cold frame. One way around this problem is to put the window opener on only one side. This way the cold frame is vented, but you can access it more easily.
Even though the garden is waning, it’s worthwhile to protect your plants to squeeze out these last glorious days of autumn.
Meet Amy Grisak
Amy is a freelance author and photographer in Great Falls, MT who specializes in gardening, foods, and sustainable agriculture. She provides information on every kind…
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