Homestead mailing list

[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

I forgot to mention my experience with beating the late frosts that are so 
common in the Ozarks. One winter I pruned a semi-dwarf peach tree down to a 
square about five feet across and maybe eight feet high. As soon as I saw 
buds beginning to appear I tented the tree with heavy, clear plastic, down 
to a foot or two above the ground. Tied the corners to weights. On nights 
when frost was forecast I half-filled the ash bucket with ashes and coals 
from the barrel stove, lots of ashes for insulation, and placed the bucket 
under the tent. The supplemental heat saved the buds from late frosts but 
caused the tree to really wake up fast, to the point where it was nearly 
leafed out while the other peach trees were still mostly naked. Alas, I 
beat the late frosts but brown rot did the fruits in when they were about 
three-quarters developed.

I believe one could save any tree from late frosts by doing the same thing. 
No supplemental heat needed. Just make the plastic extend to the ground and 
anchor it. Ground heat should be sufficient. Sort of a portable greenhouse. 
Tenthouse? To ensure pollination I would lift at least the lower parts of 
the plastic during the day. Pin it up with clothes pins.