Hard freeze

A hard freeze is a drop to 28°F or colder — the point where even cold-hardy crops take damage and the ground begins to freeze. NOAA tracks freeze dates at 36°F (light), 32°F (freeze), and 28°F (hard) thresholds; our zone tables show all three. Kale survives light freezes sweetened; a hard freeze ends the fall garden for all but covered crops.

See also: Light frost · Growing season