concern for frost damage

I'm used to growing indoors and have never had to worry about frost issues, however my cousin is solely an outdoor grower and has been doing it for several seasons. This year he ran into some slight damage and there was a possible slight frost in the area last night. He lives in Northern California in the central valley and planted 18" Green Cracks. The plants have turned white-ish on some of the fan leaves but the plant still looks healthy overall. I haven't seen these in person yet but I'll post pics when I go pay him a visit. Does anyone know what a slight frost would do to a plant or maybe what caused his fan leaves to deteriorate? I know it's hard to say without pics but any info will help. Thanks.

It is all about the particular plant and it's individual susceptibility to frost damage. I have left seedlings out in 35ish degrees and they were fine, but that is because I kept them in very cool temps from germination, therefore they were adapted. A plant that has been growing in persistent warmth from the beginning is not going to do as well when a sudden frost strikes. So basically there are a few variables. In a valley the frost can be more an issue as cold air sinks. So from the information you have provided I would assume it was indeed a chill that caused the damage.

Though pics would certainly help identify the issue more precisely...

Thanks man! My cousin figured his issue out and his plants are doing well now.

Bottom line if they turned a whitish color they were burned from the sun. He or she did not harden off the plants. I would change my name cause your posts dont back the name. Good luck dirrtyd