What's the lowest air temperature tomato plants can survive?
A 32 degree frost one spring totally destroyed my tomato plants. I have heard (but haven't yet tried) that you pull the tomato plant up my the root and hang it upside down in the kitchen. It will continue to produce for a while longer.
Reply:You are just about ready to lose your plants to the first killing frost. By now they have probably stopped flowering and producing fruit but pick what you have and make green fried tomato's or pickled tomato's. They won't ripen on the vine anymore in your climate.
Reply:As long as frost does not form on the leaves the plant can actually survive into the high 20s. It is frost on the leaves that cause the cells to burst which of course end up killing them. So protect them from the frost when the temp gets into the mid-to low 30s and your tomatoes will be fine. Make sure to take the frost protection off in the morning. Also if you use plastic don't let it touch the leaves because water can be trapped between the plastic and leaves and freeze with the same result as frost.
There are spun fabric sheets you can get in your better lawn and garden centers (One is called Harvest Guard) that is very easy to use and it breathes so you don't have the problems with it you'd have with plastic. I don't recommend plastic but if that's all you have, like I said, just don't let it touch the leaves. However, In the 40s you have no problem.
Reply:They'll survive but won't produce. Tomatoes like it hot. Especially nights. Good Luck!
Reply:I'm in New Hampshire too! My plants survived last night...phew! I covered them with a sheet. I am not sure how much longer they are going to hold on...I live at the base of a mountian. I think I might try to hang one upside down in the house and see how it works!
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