Expert: Elyse Grau - 10/17/2009

Question
I live in northern AL and tonights low is for 37 and tomorrow 34.(a possible freeze?) I am still harvesting cayenne, jalapeno, and bell peppers.  What are my chances for saving all the veggies that are still growing?  Should I go ahead and harvest all now? Could I possibly cover the plants and still harvest more later?  Next week temps. are for 60's/day and 40's/night.  Thank you in advance.

Answer
Yes, covering the plants will probably help. Those temperatures are still above freezing (32 degrees). My peppers plants surprisingly survived a couple of frosts and some 29 degree nights, however the fruits themselves may be damaged. So I would harvest all that you can now, and then cover the plants if you want to try and keep them going longer.

You can also pull the plants up with peppers still attached and hang upside down in a garage or basement to ripen the peppers.

Elyse