Old Hats Stop Killing Frost

Old Hats Stop Killing Frost FARM HOME Miscellaneous 14-4-23 "Last year we had a killing frost in south-eastern Iowa in mid-May, which was about a week after we had planted our garden tomato plants," recounts Mrs. Melvin Moeller, West Point, Iowa. "When I transplant tomatoes from the greenhouse to the garden I always cut out the ends of coffee cans and place them over the plants to prevent wind, sun and cold damage. However, the cans won't prevent frost damage. "When the forecast called for a killing frost on two consecutive nights, I had to come up with a way to keep the plants from freezing. After some quick thinking, I discovered a box of farm caps my husband had that had been washed over and over and didn't look good anymore. I placed a cap on each can and snapped them shut to fit. "I was the only gardener in this area who didn't have to replace tomato plants and, of course, I had lots of spectators. They enjoyed the colorful sight of all those caps in the garden and the free advertising I was giving to feed, seed and fertilizer dealers. Now we've all started saving old caps and coffee cans for use in our gardens." Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Mrs. Melvin L. Moeller, Rt. 1, Box 42, West Point, Iowa 52656 (ph 319 837-6183).

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