Protecting Plants from Frost Damage
We will get several more frosts between now and the middle of June. In our perennial fruits the part of the plant that is at most danger from frost are the flower buds and the flowers.
Most spring flowering bulbs easily go through a frost with no damage, but strawberry, apple, plum, etc. flowers can be killed by late frosts. Also, candles from the early growth of evergreens can also be damaged.
What is a gardener to do? Planting fruit trees on the north side of a ridge helps slow the emergence of flower buds and limits frost injury. Evergreens will recover and will be bushier next year due to the damage. Keeping straw mulch in place to slow the emergence of strawberries can also delay flowering. This will also delay fruiting.
Strawberries and some tender vegetables can be protected by irrigating water at the rate of 1/10th inch per hour when night time temperatures reach 320 F. As the water freezes it releases heat (latent heat) and will protect the flowers and buds of strawberries. If you do try irrigation to protect blossoms remember to keep the sprinklers going until all the ice is melted.