(Posted about a month later)

Just when everyone started busting out short and sandals and leaving their jackets at home…

A winter storm in the forecast!!

A week after I finally moved my squash outside and started hardening off some tomatoes and cucumbers, we were predicted to get about 6” of snow and two nights of below freezing temperatures.

Frost protection

I set out to protect my plants from low temperatures, planning some insulation and wind barrier. I used an old bed sheet, some clear plastic bags, a camping tarp, and miscellaneous clear plastic recyclables with air holes drilled into them. I secured most in place by sticking a bamboo grilling skewer through one of the air holes and into the soil a few inches. This seems to work great to secure them against the wind.

In some cases I brought plants in containers back inside. I had just felt the relief of being an almost empty-nester when plant after plant returned to crash at my place!

Snow protection

Frost is one thing, 6” of heavy wet snow is another. I reinforced my cloth and plastic sheet covering with additional bracing to hopefully withstand the weight of the snow. Folding chairs, extra trellises, container lids, etc. were all in play.

Aftermath

So far… pretty much everyone survived! My squash plants are definitely less cheerful, sustaining some leaf damage. I did lose a few of the weaker plants. But in all, I’m very pleased with the survival rate.