Covering up before a frost, freeze, or cold front, please note:
- Radiation frost forms on clear, calm nights with absent cloud cover. Many believe a full moon heightens frost risk, but the severity is driven by clear skies, which allow surface heat to radiate into space.
- Advective frost occurs when frigid air masses surge into a region, displacing warm air and bringing freezing, windy conditions. This freeze can devastate plants.
- Act promptly—modern weather forecasts provide at least 3 days’ warning before temperatures drop.
- Prepare Covertan at least 2 days in advance to retain ground heat and provide protection. Avoid last-minute covering—covering just before sunset may not shield plants, especially in windy advective freezes.
- Select thicker Covertan, such as CP 30 or 40 gsm (0.9 oz or 1.2 oz), for optimal cold protection, especially during advective freezes. Leave covers on during the day or for as long as needed; act without delay. This is a key reason growers use Covertan: 2 layers of Covertan 19 provide improved cold protection.
- Remember: support hoops or suspended ropes that lift Covertan off the plants enhance cold protection. Note that some county ordinances may prohibit the use of sprinklers for frost or freeze protection, especially for strawberry growers (e.g., Plant City, FL; N CA). Even in well-established crops, the upper canopy of leaves can effectively protect the growing heart.
- To ensure proper cold protection, acquire Covertan Crop Covers well before cold fronts or frosts. Early action best safeguards your crops.
- 3 nights of temps below 28F in FL in early Feb 2026 wiped out $1.5 billion in FL crops. In SW FL, Rain Flo, PA provided 3.5 truckloads of Covertan to a SW Farm Operation – they covered 400 acres of Zucchini, and Bell Peppers. An estimated 150 acres of harvest-ready Zucchini were saved, or $3.75 million of revenue to this grower operation. All uncovered crops perished, including harvest-ready sweet corn, trellis cucumbers, tomatillos, aquash, and bell peppers.
- We highly recommend that your farm operation invests in Covertan Crop Covers. If you do not use these rolls, they can be stored for years, protected from the Sun.
Covertan Protected 400 acres of veggies from 3 nights of freezes in SW FL. Thanks to Rain Flo, PA moving 3.5 truckloads of Covertan Crop Covers.