How to protect tomatoes from frost?

Tomato plants originally come from South America and are therefore warmth-loving. But in our latitudes it can get frosty even in summer. We explain how to effectively protect tomatoes from frost.

Protect outdoor tomatoes with a hood

Tomato plants ( Solanum lycopersicum ) that grow outdoors are particularly at risk in frosty weather . Therefore, pay attention to the weather forecast to be prepared for a cold snap.

If a cold front is approaching, protect your sensitive plants with a tomato hood. This transparent plastic film is placed over the plant and attached to the climbing aid. Do not use plastic bags from the supermarket for protection, because the tomato films are specially designed for this area of ​​application:

  • microscopic vents to prevent moisture build-up
  • accommodating, expands as the plant grows
  • UV resistant and will not take damage under sun exposure
Tip: If the weather is consistently cool and rainy, you can leave the tomato hood on the plant for several days. The hood protects against frost damage and rain at the same time. In sunny, warm weather, the hood is superfluous and even harmful because of the risk of heat build-up.

Protect outdoor tomatoes with foil tunnels

If it is not a matter of a few individual plants, but a small tomato plantation, a mobile greenhouse is a help during a cold spell. One of the most uncomplicated and inexpensive variants is a foil or fleece tunnel. This can be stretched over the bed in just a few simple steps and can even give the tomatoes permanent protection against frost and rain. Special films let sunlight through and are insensitive to UV rays and wind.

Note: When purchasing a plant tunnel, consider the height of the tomato plants.

Use Frost Guard

An unheated greenhouse does not offer the sensitive plants reliable protection against the cold. If night frost threatens, tomatoes are at risk. Protect the plants from frost with a special greenhouse heater or with a commercially available frost guard.

When buying a frost monitor, pay attention to the following features:

  • Thermostat to set the minimum temperature at which the heater will turn on
  • High protection factor IPX4 or even higher, which guarantees resistance to moisture penetration
  • Handle for easy handling

The frost monitor should not consume any oxygen in order to prevent the risk of suffocation and not to endanger plant respiration. Place the device on a flat, stable and heat-resistant surface.

Tip: In addition to the electrically operated frost monitors, you will also find gas-operated heaters and climate-friendly, solar-operated models in stores.

Manure as frost protection for tomatoes

Another environmentally friendly and inexpensive way to heat the greenhouse and protect tomatoes from frost is horse manure. The heat released by fermentation benefits the tomatoes and protects the plants from frost damage.

Depending on the size of the greenhouse, dig one or more holes near the plants and fill them with manure. It is important that the horse manure does not come into direct contact with roots, as these can burn due to the heat generated.

Tip: In the spring, you can work the manure stored over the winter into the vegetable beds to provide the plants with valuable nutrients.

Make tomatoes mobile

The tomato plants on the balcony or terrace protect you from a cold snap by moving them indoors. At low temperatures, when there is a risk of frost, hail or continuous rain, the tubs and pots belong in a heated conservatory, a greenhouse or in the apartment. To make it easier to transport the heavy vessels, we recommend mobile stands with castors.

frequently asked Questions

A warm, sunny, wind and rain-protected place with temperatures between 18 and 24 degrees Celsius creates optimal conditions for the tomato plants. Temperatures below 10 and above 30 degrees Celsius stress the tomato plants.

The answer to this question depends on where the frost damage is located. If the root and the area near the root are frozen, the plant will die. If only the upper shoots are damaged, they should be disposed of, you can still save the plant.

In principle, you can eat the fruits, they do not become poisonous due to the frost. The taste, on the other hand, suffers greatly: a frozen tomato tastes watery and bland.

When growing the tomato plants, it is necessary to gradually get used to the outside temperatures. Despite hardening, the South American plants remain sensitive to frost.

A small greenhouse can be warmed up with candlelight on a frosty night. To prevent the risk of fire, pillar candles should be placed in high-volume glass containers. Alternatively, you can use grave lights.

Kira Bellingham

I'm a homes writer and editor with more than 20 years' experience in publishing. I have worked across many titles, including Ideal Home and, of course, Homes & Gardens. My day job is as Chief Group Sub Editor across the homes and interiors titles in the group. This has given me broad experience in interiors advice on just about every subject. I'm obsessed with interiors and delighted to be part of the Homes & Gardens team.

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