What is a "Hard Frost?"

I understand that some plants can survive a light frost. Since we have had several, I still have brussels sprouts, cabbage, Swiss chard, oregano, rosemary, lavender, and a few other plants doing well.

A few days ago, I harvested one of the brussels sprouts and it was much sweeter than one I harvested in mid-summer. I suppose it is true about some veggies becoming sweeter after a frost.

Anyway, we are expecting temperatures in the low 20's this evening. Is that a hard frost? If so, should I harvest all that is remaining?

Hard frost I don't know. I assume it's the same as "hard freeze."

Hard freeze is temps at or under 28°F for more than 4 hours, I believe. It's the real "killing" frost.

But, technically, there is no uniform definition. Some simply say, "upper 20s for a few hours." Others, like Mobile, AL say, "26 degrees for at least 5 hours."

I say, "whatever freaks me out and makes me put the covers on the garden."

A frost is where it gets low for several hours, but, it is expected to get warm the next day. A hard freeze is where temps drop low, and it won't warm up the next day. Of course that is in the south. A hard frost will finish off summer veggies,ex tomatoes.

The cabbage should not be bothered with a hard frost. If it's a hard frost expected, I'd just throw a sheet over the other veggies.

Thanks! I suppose I can find a few old sheets to do the job! I hope I can keep the brussels in the garden until Thanksgiving.

BBG, where in Ohio are you? I am north of Cincinnati (West Chester).

Click Here for a previous thread and information about the differences between a frost and a freeze. Last year I had BS for Thanksgiving and Christmas. they freeze really well on the stalk right there in the garden.

Bummer. The link in the other thread is dead. :scratch:

Oh crap. OK I will see if I can find it again... Thanks Boff!

Ok so the original link was retired by the university. Here is another explaining the differences between frost and freeze.
Info about the difference of frost and freeze.

This is a bit off topic but I did a Google search on "vegetables sweeter after frost". This will affect the cabbage family and some root veggies (such as carrots). It says that the plant will try to preserve itself by turning starch into sugars so the cell walls don't rupture.

I live in Phoenix metro and we don't get many nights with frost (fortunately and unfortunately). However, I will try growing some of these veggies during our cold months to see if I can get some sweetness.

mijejo wrote:BBG, where in Ohio are you? I am north of Cincinnati (West Chester).

I'm actually in St. Louis and despise the Reds. Hee hee. I have a great friend in Cincy and have visited him a couple of times. Neat town. You guys are close. My friends live in Mason.

Oh, and to all you Cincy folks, the Cardinals also stole your stadium's chef last year. We recruited him to cook for the Cardinals. I was at a game this year, the usher told me the special was "Skyline chili dogs." We asked how that was possible, and that's how we found out about the chef. Anyway, you have some phenomenal chili over there. That chili dog was the best I'd ever tasted...bar none. Next time I'm over that way, Skyline is where I'll be found.

BBG, yes I am very close to Mason, OH. I am just a few blocks from its border and consequently spend a great deal of time there. It used to be beautiful farm land, as was West Chester. Urban sprawl has turned them both into upper-middle-class subdivisions and high-end retail. Considering I have lived here all of my life (except college years) and miss the rolling meadows and fields, I cannot see how they can call it "progress." My property was farm land until 10 years ago, and it butts up to the 3 acres surrounding the original farmhouse (still zoned for agriculture use). However, my zoning prevents me from all sorts of things. One or two laying hens? No way! I was concerned my Three Sisters cornstalks would cause a fuss, so I grew a dwarf corn variety. I have my nest egg earmarked to abandon these altered roots and move to agriland where I can try to live more sustainable and healthier. Three more years and Green Acres here I come!

Okay, Skyline has the reputation for being the best Cincinnati chili, but the native Cincinnatian knows it is because of its mass marketing and franchise expansion. Although it is tasty, some of the best chili can be found in the local dives. Blue Ash Chili, Price Hill Chili, Chili Time (near UC) and a few others. Gold Star, another chain, is good as well. However, my children, extended family and close friends know that the absolute best chili comes from my crockpot. Can you tell I am modest? It can be spread on a hotdog bun w/wo hotdog (veggie), or my favorite is over a plateful of spaghetti and covered with shredded cheddar - otherwise known as a 3-way. It is best, of the best comfort food!

You know, I've never tried 3-way, but have heard about it lots. I can't believe I've never tried to make it. I think this weekend has a goal now.

Same here. Steak'n'Shake gets the pub around here. But, EatRite and O.T. Hodges are better. Two bowls and call your doctor because you can literally feel your arteries starting to close up. However, it sure tastes goot!

Ok, Mijejo, if you are going to brag about your chili, you either need to share the recipe or invite everybody on the forum over for a taste test.

I think it's pretty dang funny this thread went from freeze to frost to chilly, er I mean chili...

I have a wife, 3 daughters and 4 granddaughters (final score...girls 7 and boys 0). I understand the chocolate addiction very well. If they could put chocolate in everything, I really think they would. Thank you for revealing the recipe. The only 2 things I cook are chili and scrambled eggs (oh, and anything you can burn over the grill). Other than that, my wife does the cooking and I do the dishes. That arrangement works out well for everyone. They don't get indigestion and the dishes get cleaned. I grew up in West Virginia and the had a little drive in that made the world's best chili dogs. Unfortunately, when the owner passed, they took the secret with them I have been on a search for a great chili dog recipe ever since......alas, the search goes on.

Mike

Another good "trick" is to add a can of soda with a package of hot chocolate powder.

BUMP...

...because of the cold weather some of us are experiencing this spring, I thought I would revive this thread.

Friday it was 85 deg, and has been going down ever since. High on Sat. was 52, low last night was 39deg., d___, but it made the menu Chili. I was expecting that we wouldn't have chile again til the first fall frost. I hope it does not go any lower tonight, for the garden is planted. Corn is a foot tall! Okra about 8 in!
Jo