How You Can Prepare for the First Frost Before It Gets Here
Sep 08, 2025
The first frost marks the true change of seasons.
For gardeners, homeowners, and anyone facing chilly mornings, it’s both a warning for what is outside, but it’s an opportunity.
A little preparation before temperatures dip below freezing can protect your plants, home, and daily routine. Here’s what you should know.
For many, the garden feels the first bite of frost before anything else. Tender crops like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, and basil can be ruined by a single cold night.
To prevent losses, it helps to know your average frost date, which can be found through local extension services or frost-date maps. Harvesting tender crops early — even if they are not fully ripe — allows them to continue ripening indoors. Any plants that remain in the garden can be protected overnight with row covers, bed sheets, or frost cloths, which should be removed in the morning once temperatures rise again.
Your garden isn’t the only thing at risk when temperatures drop.
Frost can lead to costly home repairs if you’re not careful. Outdoor hoses should be drained and disconnected so water inside doesn’t freeze and burst pipes. Faucets, fountains, and exposed equipment can be protected with insulated covers or wraps.
The first frost often brings the first slick commutes of the season, and preparing your car ahead of time can make mornings less stressful. Checking fluids, including antifreeze and windshield wiper fluid, ensures that your vehicle is ready for cold weather.
The first frost doesn’t need to catch you off guard. With a little planning, harvesting what you can, protecting your plants, securing your home.
What you can get at Co-op
You can come into your local Co-op and check out products that can help your gardens, houses, and your car.
Don’t know where your Co-op is? You can visit ourcoop.com/locations to find the location nearest you.
For gardeners, homeowners, and anyone facing chilly mornings, it’s both a warning for what is outside, but it’s an opportunity.
A little preparation before temperatures dip below freezing can protect your plants, home, and daily routine. Here’s what you should know.
For many, the garden feels the first bite of frost before anything else. Tender crops like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, and basil can be ruined by a single cold night.
To prevent losses, it helps to know your average frost date, which can be found through local extension services or frost-date maps. Harvesting tender crops early — even if they are not fully ripe — allows them to continue ripening indoors. Any plants that remain in the garden can be protected overnight with row covers, bed sheets, or frost cloths, which should be removed in the morning once temperatures rise again.
Your garden isn’t the only thing at risk when temperatures drop.
Frost can lead to costly home repairs if you’re not careful. Outdoor hoses should be drained and disconnected so water inside doesn’t freeze and burst pipes. Faucets, fountains, and exposed equipment can be protected with insulated covers or wraps.
The first frost often brings the first slick commutes of the season, and preparing your car ahead of time can make mornings less stressful. Checking fluids, including antifreeze and windshield wiper fluid, ensures that your vehicle is ready for cold weather.
The first frost doesn’t need to catch you off guard. With a little planning, harvesting what you can, protecting your plants, securing your home.
What you can get at Co-op
You can come into your local Co-op and check out products that can help your gardens, houses, and your car.
Don’t know where your Co-op is? You can visit ourcoop.com/locations to find the location nearest you.