Cold Snap

Here's the expected average temperature for the past week:

And here's what it really looked like:

Yup, that's right SEVENTEEN DEGREES. When it's supposed to be in the MID-FORTIES!

Sorry about the all caps. But when one gardens in the south, one counts on those averages for the fall garden to remain alive until harvest.

Here's how my garden survived:

The first few nights when temps flirted with the freezing mark my priority was to cover the frost-susceptible plants. I had a few remaining bell peppers in one tank, and a bed surrounded by spaghetti squash vines. I also had Irish potatoes in two of the beds. These were the priority for covering, as I didn't have a huge amount of time to properly prep.

I use Garden Quilts, which the label says is rated down to 24 but during last winter's single-digit cold snap it kept my broccoli and carrots alive.

I got a few more days out of the garden, which meant I got another dozen peppers picked. Then when the temps threatened to drop into the 20's I went into full winter mode.

The peppers and squash were sacrificed. The Hi-Rise Super Hoops went in. The broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts were saved!

The potatoes however did not make it. I guess you can't win them all.