To grow some vegetables successfully, the gardener must be able to control the conditions in the immediate vicinity of the plants. The larger size is recommended because it allows more room for plant expansion. Hot kaps provide 2 to 3 degrees of frost protection, so transplants can be put into the garden 1 or 2 weeks earlier than normal, in mid-May.
Hot caps increase the temperature of the soil and the air.
This results in faster establishment of the plants. Gardening with Hot Kaps - Plant the transplant, water it thoroughly, then apply a starter solution of water and fertilizer. Next, place the hot kap over the transplant, piling soil on the flaps to hold the hot kap down. This allows for air circulation and temperature control. In this way, the protection of the hot kap is withdrawn slowly, and shock to the transplants is avoided.