Hotkaps in the vegetable garden
A lot of my cold-tolerant plants, such as cabbages, cauliflower, and broccoli were ready for planting in the garden, but once that was done, the weather suddenly turned quite cold again. To ensure that these still tender plants would not freeze, I thought it would be a good idea to use protective covers called Hotkaps. These paper domes keep away frost, pelting rain, and harmful insects. In essence, they are a mini greenhouse for every plant.  As the temperatures become warmer, a ventilation hole may be snipped in the top of each Hotcap. And, these paper domes can be composted once they are removed.
Hi Martha,
I can't believe those Hotkaps have been around since the 30s. I didn't know they existed but I doubt many in Florida use them anyway. Still, a good idea and now your little 'ghost' plants won't freeze if the weather turns again. Every time I see dirt up close, I get homesick for the north because all we have is sand and whatever I buy at Home Depot. Maybe you could show us the broccoli when it gets mature because I don't recall seeing what it looks like in the ground before you cut it. I have never planted broccoli, cabbage or cauliflower. Well, thanks for two more lessons today! Trish
Posted by: Trish | April 9th, 2009 at 8:36 am
Sounds pretty handy! It probably looks more presentable than a milk gallon jug does also. LOL!
Posted by: Kari | April 9th, 2009 at 8:49 am
Thanks, so much for the garden tips. I will keep those for future reference! LOVE brocccoli and cauliflower.
Posted by: Brian | April 9th, 2009 at 9:49 am
Those Hotkaps are so cute and so necessary. They do look like they are ghosts dancing row by row!
Posted by: Sherey | April 9th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Thanks for sharing. I'm buying some immediately. This would have saved my back the other night when temperature dipped below freezing!
Posted by: Holly | April 9th, 2009 at 9:58 am
Where did your last Head Gardner go - I liked seeing her in the garden. Those Hotkaps look great and I love the idea of the plastic cups, I will be informing my dad to follow your instructions at his allotment.
Happy Easter Martha.
Pru
Posted by: Pru | April 9th, 2009 at 10:28 am
Hi Pru,
Thanks for asking about Jodi, the former head gardener. Alas, she has followed LOVE to the state of Maine.
Posted by: Martha Stewart | April 9th, 2009 at 10:57 am
How expensive are the hot caps? And where can we buy them? It would be nice if you posted some info. I do not like to get up on any web site that I don't know for sure is secured.The concept is great and it beats using recycled plastic products.
Posted by: Anita Lasanowski | April 9th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Martha,
You know cabbage is so plentiful and cheap. I buy it every week.
Here is a wonderful recipe for braised cabbage and onions.
1/2 cabbage
1 t. salt and pepper
1 t. caraway seeds
1 sweet onion
1 - 2 T oil
1. Heat oil over medium heat in cast iron skillet.
2. Cook onion until translucent
3. Add finely shredded cabbage
4. Add salt, pepper and caraway seeds
5. Keep stirring until cabbage is done.
For those who love meat cooked with vegetables you can add about 3 oz. of turkey smoked sausage, too.
I think if cabbage is shredded finely, it renders better taste.
This recipe comes from GOURMET.
Sonia
Posted by: Sonia | April 9th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Love the size of your garden... can't manage that here, but am going to do more than I've ever done before this year. A hen house and coop from 95% recycled materials, a garden four times the size of last year, and a couple of rabbits to keep me company when the chickens are bored of me.
Posted by: jai carney | April 9th, 2009 at 11:37 am
Where do you purchase hotcaps ?
Posted by: Linda Greisch | April 9th, 2009 at 11:58 am
Hi Sonia - Thanks for sharing the cabbage recipe. I love it braised this way.
Posted by: Martha Stewart | April 9th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
For those of you wondering where to purchase HotKaps, just click on the link in the blog and it will take you right there.
Posted by: Martha Stewart | April 9th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
...they DO look like little garden ghosts! If you're like me (and you are!), I want the beds to look good at e-v-e-r-y stage. Even though the hot caps are purposeful, they still look nice until they're no longer needed. April is so fickle! It has simply been a guessing game weather-wise here in the northeast (and elsewhere, as I read many posts...)
Look at that black soil, would you?! I KNOW that didn't happen overnight! Black gold! It looks so rich and friable and full of nutrients already! I am self-assured that all the hard work it takes to achieve this end product is sooo worthwhile in the end.
I'm off to hunt for a 3-way splitter for one of my garden hose faucets. I'm brainstorming that while one bed is currently empty, I'll route a hose thru it against the house foundation to make an available water source in an area of the yard where there is no water supply. This will alleviate having to get out/roll up a hose when those hot and parched days arrive. When the lily-of-the-valley fills in then, one'll never see the hose when the leaves fill out around it. Busy as we are, time is of the essence, you know...
=^..^=
"It is neither wealth nor splendor, but tranquility and occupation which give happiness."--Thomas Jefferson
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | April 9th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Hi Martha, What a perfectly timed blog! I'm getting ready to do some planting and the weather is about to turn much colder next week. If I get some of these Hotkaps, my plants should survive even predicted snow. WOW! You are absolutely wonderful and must be able to read my mind!!! Not only is this blog informative, but seeing the entire process on how to use the Hotkaps is absolutely valuable! I'm on my way to get some. Have a great day everyone. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | April 9th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Wishing Jodi *true love* and happy gardening in Maine! She has been quite articulate and very informative in her TV segments. I would think, Martha, that gardening on your property with all your resources and wonderful inspiration would be a gardener's dream job!
Posted by: MMC in San Diego | April 9th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Love those hotkaps. They really do look like garden ghosts. Thanks for sharing your pictures. I am sorry to hear Jodi has left. Wish her every happiness. I love Maine, I've been there many times. Happy Easter Martha!
Linda
Phila, PA
Posted by: Linda | April 9th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
tks m, really enjoyed yesterdays greenhouse and todays informative garden rescue, I no this isn't as unique but i covered my daphne with a quilt in early March because of the awful cold, it's blooms r devine right now, come on spring, weary of these cold evenings.
Posted by: Charmayne | April 9th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Thanks Martha, Good hearing from you.
Best wishes go to Jodi and her love of her life.
Best wishes to your gardening staff.
Posted by: Margie | April 9th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
While in the garden on the prowl
Be careful with your planting trowel.
For there's a wee and there's a wee
Another wee and then there's me.
Waiting for roots to gently press.
To hold and nourish,to look their best.
Remember in this hallowed ground
That underneath each leafy mound,
Wee whispies that hide are lookin'up at you,
Yet,scrambling,to escape your shoe.
They work with Mother Earth to show,
With sun and rain,they help things grow.
Those Hotkap paper domes are just the thing
To ward-off cold and rain should weather sting.
Then, to add whimsy to this equation
The garden,now,looks like a ghost invasion.
And so, we wait with great content
And wonder where the summer went.
Posted by: celia stock | April 9th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Martha,
Thanks for your comment. If space allowed I could come up with other wonderful recipes for cabbage.
In the bible, Deut. 8:18 says, "And you shall remember the Lord your God for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. "
It's funny how something as cheap as a cabbage can be the source of great wealth. (smile)
Sonia
Posted by: Sonia | April 9th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Thank you for all the lovely posts on gardening.....
Posted by: Mixing Bowl Mama | April 9th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
This is a brief (I promise!) comment for Celia Stock:
April 9th's post is the best one yet!...very innovative and clever word choices and rhyming schemes. You MUST continue your posts, as I look forward to them and continue to be wowed by your creativity! Others have given ME encouragement, so I perpetuate that positiveness to you! Martha (Laura and Eliad too!) HAS to smile when she reads those wonderful little plays on words!
=^..^=
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | April 10th, 2009 at 8:35 am
I have some pictures of my vegie garden that you showed me how to build on your show. I don't know how to upload them to you to show you what I have done.
Posted by: David Flanders | April 10th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
great job wilmer!!!! i miss you!
i am in maine and loving life! i just finished designing and staking my vegetable garden. started lots of seeds and getting excited for planting day. i miss being on the blog and working with eliad and laura! always great fun behind the scenes.
cheers!
jodi capobianco
Posted by: jodi capobianco | April 10th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
hello martha I from turkey I love youuuuu....Love those hotkaps. They really do look like garden ghosts. Thanks for sharing your pictures. I am sorry to hear Jodi has left. Wish her every happiness. I love Maine, I've been there many times. Happy Easter Martha!
Posted by: ozan | April 19th, 2009 at 7:56 am