Spring frost!

[Greenthumb18]

My Apricot tree has been blooming so nice this past week and now temperatures are expected to get to 29 degrees tonight. I'm worried all this cold could put an end to any possible apricots this week. I couldn't just leave the tree without covering some branches with plastic bags. I know here in the Northeast a lot of growers are dealing with the frost, which isn't good news for all those blooms.
I know they sell that special cloth that protects the blooms, they use those in orchards. That's March weather alright, one day warm the next cold.


Is anyone else experiencing any frost issues with your fruit trees?

 

[digitS']

No flower buds on my peach tree yet, GT. That's the only fruit tree in my yard.

But 29, I remember reading that 29 is right at the cusp of fruit blossom frost damage.

Here is Hoping You get Real Lucky Overnight, GT!

Steve

 

[897tgigvib]

Can you make a fire near your tree? Orchard men used to use highway firepots in orchards.

Is anyone enough to know what a smudgepot is?

 

[momofdrew]

Can you make a fire near your tree? Orchard men used to use highway firepots in orchards.

Is anyone enough to know what a smudgepot is?

yes but not telling
lol

 

[The Mama Chicken]

Can you make a fire near your tree? Orchard men used to use highway firepots in orchards.

Is anyone enough to know what a smudgepot is?

I'm only in my 30's and I know what a smudgepot is. I guess because I used to live near orange orchards in San Diego County. They were switching to those outdoor gas heaters when we moved though.

 

[ninnymary]

Smudgepots are still used in the vineyards in the Napa valley.

Mary

 

[digitS']

Oops!

On the spring weather thread, I mentioned the word smudge pot. Oh no, Marshall! I'm not saying that you are trapped in Grandma's technology . . !

I mean, after all -- you said "a fire." Obviously, you meant a nice, clean-burning fire using appropriate fuel. Not a choking, black smoke fire from waste oil!!

As for living in a previous century -- what the heck are the vineyards doing using smudge pots?!! What is it? Do you suppose that a wine crop brings in so much $$ that they can buy off the people who might regulate air pollution?

Yeah, I remember smudge pots, in the pear and peach orchards of southern Oregon. Our air was filthy for days and days at this time of year! Our white house turned black with soot. What do you suppose it did to a country kid's lungs who had to walk nearly a mile to catch a school bus? I may have a picture around here somewhere I can post of what my older brother looked like after coming home from tending smudge pots in the orchards all night . . .

Steve

 

[897tgigvib]

No, but the vineyards do bring in so much money that they are allowed to use valuable water to irrigate even when everyone else has to conserve water.

 

[ducks4you]

How about bedsheets? I'll bet that protects your blossoms enough so that you don't lose them all. I keep the plants that I pot for the winter inside my east-facing, windowed but NOT heated front porch. I monitor the temperature with the thermometer that hangs on the wall. I've seen frost and freezes outside, but the plants don't die bc they remain dry. I've kept plants there until late November without mishap.
Even though MidAmerican Gardener said we should expect one or more frosts before out last date (April 15-20, depending on your source), I'd be surprised if that happens. This winter was so weak that we had few freezes and frosts. HOWEVER, I'll be vigilant bc my peach tree already blossomed last week, the apple trees are mid-blossom and the cherry and pear trees have blossoms right now. I only have 2 plants that I gambled on and put out early--a potato that I potted inside and an azalea that pleaded for me to take home and plant.
Crossed my fingers for you.

 

[Greenthumb18]

Thanks guys for all the advice!

I checked the apricot blooms this morning, they don't look too bad. Time will tell of course if those buds continue to enlarge into fruits or are damaged and fall off. I notice frost may be found in one area of the garden while another area doesn't frost. I know they say to always plant fruit trees on higher ground since frost collects on low lying areas.

I just hope that at least some of the blooms will turn to fruit