A Late Frost

April 18, 1932  Cold with light frost.  Mother and girls and C. Dalkes were here for dinner.

To us a light frost might seem unimportant, but anyone who has ever had a garden or an orchard knows how bad a late frost can be.  The Siemens had already planted in the garden, and on the 11^th they had had enough of a frost to kill the lettuce, turnips, and radishes.  On the 15^th they had planted again in the garden.  And now on the 18^th there was another frost.  Some things can stand a little frost, but other plants are sensitive and will freeze with even a single degree of frost.  And if blossoms on the fruit trees had started to open, even a little frost would destroy the fruit.  Cornelius does not record whether there was any damage from this frost, but it was a constant concern in early spring because it would directly affect how much produce and fruit there was to eat later in the year.