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Old 11-05-2004, 06:09 PM
kc
 
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Default Does Frost Damage Kill Tomato Plants?

Thanks to all of you for the advice. I will replant based on your
recommendations. I had planned on replanting in the first place, but was
surprised to see the plants still growing, hence my question.

Also, B & J, thanks for the "pushing the season" tip. I will try that next
year.

Kenn



"B & J" wrote in message
...
"kc" wrote in message
...
Hello All

My tomato plants were about 6" inches tall when about 10 days ago a

frost
killed all their foliage down to the ground. I was ready to purchase new
plants, but noticed that the base of the frost-bitten plants are sending

up
new foliage.

Will these plants recover enough to bear fruit, or should I just replace
them with new plants? And even if they are able to recover, are they now

too
far behind? I'm assuming it will take them a while just to get back to

the
6" height they were at before the frost.
.
Thanks in advance for any advice you may have.

Kenn

When you push the limit on the average last frost date by early planting,

it
pays to enclose your tomato cages with 3 mm clear plastic taped together
with duct tape, leaving the top and bottom open. Leave some extra plastic

on
the top of the cage, so that the top can be closed when frost or a cold
spell is predicted. I usually push the last frost free date by at least

two
weeks doing this. As an added bonus the plastic works in much the same

order
as a greenhouse and almost doubles growth rate.

As for the frozen plants, the ones regrowing would probably survive and
produce tomatoes but would be later. It would be logical to purchase new
plants and replace the frozen plants.

John