Here, this cucumber plant growing in a container has sustained fatal damage from an overnight frost. Once a frost hits a plant, recovery can be nearly impossible. The result is either extensive damage to the plant’s structure, or complete destruction, killing the plant off entirely.

Especially if the sun hits the crystal and plants as it rises. And just like a pipe will burst when it freezes and expands, the ice ruptures the stems and cells of the plant. When this happens, the ice crystals expand. But unfortunately, when a frost occurs, instead of water, ice crystals form on the foliage and within the stem walls of the plant. When it’s warm, dew can actually be quite beneficial to plants, providing moisture that the leaves can soak in to help hydrate the plant. When there is enough moisture in the air and the temperature cools down, dew forms on the foliage of plants. So just exactly how does a frost harm vegetable plants? For starters, a frost is basically the frozen form of dew. And even more costly when you have to replant it! How & Why A Frost Damages A Plant Whether growing your own plants from seed or purchasing transplants at a local nursery or garden center, it can be expensive to plant a garden. Millions of dollars are lost in home vegetable gardens each and ever year due to frost damage. Once hit by a frost, even if plants survive, they are usually just a shell of their former self.

Vegetable gardening download