Frosty Date
June 1, 2011
Frost dates are the estimated day that the first frost of the fall and the last frost of the spring can be expected. These are important dates to keep track of as frost can make or break a lot of crops. The frost date helps determine when cover should go on certain crops, when others should be harvested, and when to remove cover. That said, it’s important to pay attention to the weather day to day, as an exceptionally hot fall or early spring day can cause plants to bolt (go to seed) if left under their covers.
The estimated first (fall) frost date for Poughkeepsie is early to mid-october, sometime between the 7th and 15th. The last (spring) frost date is in late April.
mmm frosty. great for dipping homemade french fries from VEG potatoes.
The frost dates are particularly pertinent to the following plants that can be successfully maintained with season extenders but are sensitive to too much heat:
- Arugula
- Mustard greens
- Spinach
- Mâche
- Claytonia
The following vegetable can be successfully maintained during the winter with season extenders but are particularly sensitive to frost and cold weather:
- Lettuce
- Nappa cabbage
- Chard
- Escarole/frisée
- Fennel
We also find this chart of monthly average temperatures useful:
from the Weather Channel