How To Protect Plants From Frost: 5 Effective Methods
Learn to use indoor spaces, fabric drapes, cloches, mulch, and cold frames to shield your garden from the cold, ensuring your plants' survival and health during the chilly seasons.
Fall is approaching and with it the cold weather. The sun isn’t shining as bright, the days are getting shorter, and we’re starting to fill the chill in the air. This means it’s time to start preparing for the cold seasons that are to come. For some this means taking out the cozy sweaters and fuzzy hats from the back of the wardrobe. However, for other it is time to start preparing the garden for the upcoming harsh conditions. While we can put on a warm coat and call it a day, our precious plants cannot. An unexpected frost can quickly become devastating for your garden. That’s why it is important to stay ahead of it and be prepared. Today we will show you how to protect plants from frost like a pro.
An unexpected frost can quickly become devastating for your garden
In this article
How To Protect Plants From Frost
Frosts are an unavoidable experience in the colder months. However, they can be very damaging to your poor plants. An unexpected cold snap can set you back quite a bit. But since we can’t always predict when exactly a frost will hit, it’s best to play it safe and prepare from afar. On the bright side there are plenty of ways you can protect your plants from the cruel fall and winter weather.
Frosts are an unavoidable experience in the colder months
#Move containers indoor
This is one of the easiest and fool-proof ways to protect your plants from frost. If you have a lot of container plants that are not frost hardy and may be extra sustainable to damage from the cold weather, this is a simple solution. Before nightfall move the more sensitive container plants indoors. Potted plants are especially susceptible to frost damage as they don’t have the same insulated benefits as the plants in the ground. That is why it is essential to take care of them. You can place them in the garage, in the living room, a conservatory, a garden room, etc. They need a place that isn’t too warm but somewhere where they will be protected.
Potted plants are especially susceptible to frost damage
#Drape plants with fabric
This method is perfect for plants that are in the ground and are a bit larger, like shrubs. If you suspect a frost may be coming, you can wrap up some of your larger plants with a horticultural fleece. If you don’t have any on hand a blanket or towel can also act as a protective cover. All you need to do is get several stakes and create a tent like structure for your plant. Then drape the stakes with the fabric you have on hand. Make sure you weigh down the corners as we don’t want the protective tent to fly off.
This method is perfect for plants that are in the ground and are a bit larger
#Use a cloche
If you have seedlings in need of protection, then a cloche is the right way to go. These bell-shaped covers are usually made from glass or plastic and come in a variety of sizes. You can purchase them at your local gardening store or make them yourself from recycled objects, like plastic bottles. Place the cloche over your plants and let it sit for the night. Then remove it during the day to allow the plants to benefits from the sunlight. It’s simple, cheap, and gets the job done.
These bell-shaped covers are usually made from glass or plastic
#Add mulch
Adding mulch is like putting a warm blanket on your plants. It also has a bunch of benefits. It helps protect the soil from erosion, keeps the roots warm and keeps in moisture. All of this helps your plants stay safe in the cold weather. This method is low-maintenance and effective. You can use straw, leaves, chipped bark, and other types of dry mulch around your plants in order to keep them nice and warm.
Adding mulch is like putting a warm blanket on your plants
#Use a cold frame
A cold frame is a great addition to any garden. These structures can be either portable or permanent, depending on your garden needs. You can buy them at a store or make one yourself. Cold frames help provide plants with shelter over the course of the cold months. However, you need to ensure that the plants are getting good ventilation when the weather is warmer.
A cold frame is a great addition to any garden
Even though the cold weather is slowly creeping in, now the frost won’t catch you unprepared. We hope you found this article useful. Now that you know how to protect plants from frost like a pro you won’t have to worry about your beautiful garden getting ruined.
Now that you know how to protect plants from frost like a pro
Related Articles
