Fall weather is so variable that if you dodge the first frost, you can sometimes enjoy summer garden bounty all the way until Thanksgiving or later.  In my most recent 99 cent ebook, I explain how to make quick hoops for under $50, but in many cases, something quicker and cheaper is called for.  That's why I loved Mom's frost protection method, shown here.

The idea is to drape a blanket over your plants without crushing them.  She set up some five gallon buckets and boards to make a frame over her summer squash, tomato cages did the job on the other end of the garden bed, and the porch railing made a support elsewhere.  Add a blanket and get instant protection from light frosts.

Of course, with a system like this, you'll need to wait to put the blanket in place until dusk and then take it off the next morning since light won't pass through.  I think Mom didn't mind the extra work, though, to keep enjoying tasty squash and tomatoes.

Thanks for the photos and idea, Mom!

This post is part of our Tips from the Urban Homestead lunchtime series.  Read all of the entries: Tips from the urban homestead Collecting goose manure for the garden Weedy edges for wildlife Quick and dirty frost protection Advanced clothesline drying

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About us: Anna Hess and Mark Hamilton spent over a decade living self-sufficiently in the mountains of Virginia before moving north to start over from scratch in the foothills of Ohio. They've experimented with permaculture, no-till gardening, trailersteading, home-based microbusinesses and much more, writing about their adventures in both blogs and books.



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