Protecting Plants from Frost

Last year, with the unseasonably early cold temperatures, I actually lost quite a few plants.  They just did not have time to go dormant before the cold knocked at their door.  This year, I am going to be a little more diligent about watching the weather forecast, and take some steps to protect them, should an early frost or freeze set in.

First, if you are growing a fall garden, you’ll want to use row covers, a hoop house, or other protective measures on your more delicate crops.  Most cool weather crops can withstand a frost.  A freeze, however, will bring quite a few edibles to their knees {if they had them}.  On top of protecting the leaves from freezing moisture, row covers and hoop houses keep heat in.  In raised beds, they can delay the ground freezing pretty significantly.

For newly planted perennials {pretty much all of mine this year}, it is important to mulch the first year.  They are established, but not fully, so a little winter blanket around their base gives them a leg up.  You can use leaves or straw as mulch {even black rubber mulch, if you prefer}.  The important thing is to create a level of insulation for the plants.

Delicate plants, like my lemon tree, will need to be moved indoors.  The same goes for most succulents.  Watch for the first freezing temperatures and then move those bad boys under a protected patio or indoors.  Find a nice sunny location inside to to let it take up winter residence.

Move potted plants closer to the house.  I know it seems minuscule, but there can be a pretty significant temperature difference between out on the patio and up against the house.  The house will provide some level of protection from the elements and actually puts off some heat {heat loss, that you are already paying for, might I add}.

KIT {keep it together}.  If some of your plants appear to have been “bit” by a frost, don’t immediately hack off the branches or limbs.  Wait. It. Out.  Plants are sometimes more resilient than we give them credit for.  Come early February or March when it is time to prune, you can reassess the situation.

How do you keep your delicate plants safe from the elements?  Or do you only plant cold hardy ones?

~Mavis