Tip #9 Homesteader's Prediction of First Frost

For all you Alaskan potato farmers out there, here is a little something to help you decide when its going to be time to dig up those potatoes for your fall harvest. And for those gardeners who have bulbs in the ground to dig up and store for the winter, it will work for you too.

I have "tested" this First Frost Predictor on and off for many years and it is surprisingly accurate.

Just about everyone in Alaska has Fireweed wildflowers growing somewhere close to their home. The oldtimers used these flowers to predict when it will be time to start moving the fragile things indoors and when the first killing frost may occur.

Watch the progression of blooming of the flowers on the stalks. When the last couple rows of buds begin to bloom at the top of the stalk, begin counting TEN DAYS from that date. You will find that the first frost for your local area will occur within a day or so of that predicted date.

This tip came to mind this afternoon as I was doing some yardwork and noticed that the fireweed in my yard was just a couple days away from reaching that point. Looks like its going to be an early fall this year!

Mark it on your calendar and see how close it comes for your area. You might be surprised.

Klondike Kid

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