What is a Hot Cap?
A hot cap is a tool which is used to protect tender plants during cold weather. Hot caps fall under a family of tools known as “season extenders” because they can be used to extend the growing season, especially in areas where this period may be short. In addition to insulating plants from cold temperatures, hot caps also protect them from marauding birds and small animals, giving them a better chance to thrive to a larger size which will allow them to withstand garden pests. Hot caps can be made from heavy translucent paper or plastics, and they are readily available in many gardening supply stores. Gardeners can also make their own with plastic sheeting or old plastic milk jugs. In all cases, the hot cap needs to be installed just above the ground to permit some air circulation, because otherwise the temperature inside could get extremely hot, and the plant might wilt or suffocate due to lack of adequate circulation. Some gardeners use hot caps to prepare the soil for planting. In th
