How to Prepare Your Garden for the First Frost
How to Prepare Your Garden for the First Frost
Global · Published Oct 14, 2026
• Learn how to protect your garden from the first frost with these simple steps, including harvesting tender crops, covering vulnerable plants, and feeding the soil for a healthier spring.

Harvesting Frost-Sensitive Crops

As soon as frost appears in the forecast, it's time to harvest frost-sensitive crops. Pick all tomatoes, including green ones, as they can ripen indoors. Gather peppers, eggplants, and tomatillos, as they won't survive freezing temperatures. Summer squash, cucumbers, and basil should also be harvested. For winter squash and pumpkins, allow them to cure in a warm spot for a week or two before storing. Meanwhile, leave frost-hardy crops like kale, collards, and carrots in the ground, as they can tolerate frost and even improve in flavor.

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