we discovered today via notes (left by an old owner) which we have finally
received, that frosts are expected here 8-9 months of the year (!!!)
(average last frost is in november, and average earliest is in march). i
understand from the locals taht the frosts are really thick too, (i.e.
multiple centimetres - could they be exaggerating?) and one's waterpipes on
the roof, etc, are commonly frozen.

we had a frost on christmas night, for heaven's sake, so i really need to
get informed about it, but i cannot seem to grasp how it works. i realise
the basics (frost pockets, it travels downhill, you can cover your stuff, &
whatnot) but is there a good site about it or a good explanation anyone can
give (which isn't too patronisingly basic ;-)?

our yard generally slopes down to the east, and terminates at the veggie
patch (i.e. all frosts lead to the veggie patch?) the western side & centre
is reasonably flattish & at this point, reasonably bareish too. there's a
swale between the yard & veggie patch, and some fruit trees. the veggie
patch is much more sloped than the yard. when it frosted on christmas night,
a few bean plants (the last plants down the slope) were slightly affected,
but the tomatoes at the top of the patch were not. what does this mean? in
the yard, some pumpkin & zucchini plants were slightly affected, but most
were not. i can't fathom why some were affected & some not. the affected
cucurbits were further down the slight slope than the others, but really the
difference in that spot is minimal (to my eye) but is that the reason?

is there anything i can do in terms of planting or construction to limit
frost settling in the yard & in the veggie patch? we have lots of rocks &
one thing i was thinking is that i can (and no doubt will) utilise (more)
rocks for the bed edges, to break up the frost flow & create more warmth &
protection for the beds. i was quite keen on permaculture cough style
kidney-shaped suntrap beds, made of rock walls, but at this point the beds
are the ordinary rectangular kind, terraced with rocks & wood.
thanks for any thoughts or information!
kylie