Cover The Veggies: Freeze Warning Issued for Litchfield County
What's the most wonderful time of the year in Connecticut? The Holiday season? Summer along the shoreline? My vote would go to Connecticut's first frost and hard freeze.
You may have noticed that it was pretty chilly when you walked out the door this morning, I had a temperature of 34 degrees on my ride in. It's going to get even colder tonight, and I have a warning for those with a green thumb: It's time to cover or bring in your tender vegetation. The National Weather Service has just issued Fall 2024's first Freeze Warning for Northern and Southern Litchfield County in Connecticut, and Eastern and Western Dutchess County in New York. The Freeze Warning will be in effect from 3AM until 9AM on Thursday, October 17.
Sub-zero freezing temperatures in the upper 20's and low 30's are expected, and frost and freeze will kill crops and tender vegetation. According to The Farmer's Almanac, the following veggies are doomed tonight if left uncovered: beans, cukes, eggplant, peppers, pumpkins, squash, corn, tomatoes, and watermelon. Some veggies can survive a light frost, like lettuce, celery, and potatoes, while a carrot's flavor will actually be enhanced by a light frost. Hardy, tough veggies that can withstand tonight include broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, kale, onions, peas, and spinach.
Who benefits the most from a hard freeze? Allergy sufferers and those that hate bugs. I noticed quite a few dead grasshoppers in Brookfield this morning, and that ant hill in your driveway is as good as gone. This is the most wonderful time of year, when the colors of the leaves explode, and flies go away.
Five Worthwhile Stops For Bored Leaf Peepers in Litchfield County
10 of the Best NEW Connecticut Restaurants In 2024