Covered Straw Bale Bed #7
Picture taken 1 April 2021.
Since the forecast low for tonight is 26o F, checked the literature to see if we needed to cover our Oregon Sugar Pod II Peas [Pisum sativum var. saccharatum] and/or Icicle Short Top Radishes. From Oregon State University Extension Service [1]:
According to Myers, the hardiest vegetables that can withstand heavy frost of air temperatures below 28 include spinach, Walla Walla sweet onion, garlic, leeks, rhubarb, rutabaga, broccoli, kohlrabi, kale, cabbage, chicory, Brussels sprouts, corn salad, arugula, fava beans, radish, mustard, Austrian winter pea and turnip.
Semi-hardy vegetables that can withstand light frost of air temperatures in the range of 28 to 32 degrees include beets, spring market carrots, parsnip, lettuce, chard, pea, Chinese cabbage, endive, radicchio, cauliflower, parsley and celery.
Since this information was confirmed by several other sources [2], [3], we decided to cover the straw bale containing the Oregon Sugar Pod II Peas and not cover the straw bale containing the Icicle Short Top Radishes.
Bibliography:
- [1] James Myers (Story Source), These cold-hardy vegetables may stick it out through winter, Oregon State University Extension Service (September 2013). https://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/these-cold-hardy-vegetables-may-stick-it-out-through-winter (Accessed 1 April 2021).
- [2] Cyn Reed, Does Frost Damage Pea Plants? Garden Guides, (21 September, 2017). https://www.gardenguides.com/info_8738674_frost-damage-pea-plants.html (Accessed 1 April 2021).
- [3] Heather Rhoades, How Low Of A Temperature Can Peas Stand? Gardening Know How, (This article was last updated on 02/11/21). https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/peas/how-low-of-a-temperature-can-peas-stand.htm (Accessed 1 April 2021).