5 Easy Ways to Protect Your Plants from the First Frost
Surefire Ways to Protect Your Greenery when the Sun’s Nowhere to Be Seen
The way weather trends have been going lately, it may be time to think about protecting your unsuspecting plants and other greenery from the year's first frost. That's right, there may be a number of vulnerable plants in your garden that need to be shielded from a freeze. Citrus and succulents are at particular risk from overnight frost. If you are able, bring these delicate garden items indoors. If not, shelter them as recommended below, careful that fabrics don't touch fragile stems. Garden vegetables may also need to be sheltered from the cold and first frost.
Ready to put the strong arm on nighttime frost this year? Not sure where to start? Check out these 5 Easy Ways to Protect Your Plants from the First Frost. Sure to get your plants out of harm's way before the first frost takes its toll.
Frost Protection Tip 1. Position lawn or deck chairs over small plants and drape with burlap or other fabric that can breathe or allow air to pass through. Remove the fabric during the day and replace at nighttime. Check online for deals and discounts on gardening fabric. Or visit Home Depot or your local gardening center.
Frost Protection Tip 2. Position a large corrugated box over small, medium and large plants. Cut the top (if needed) and bottom to make a shaft into which the plant can stand. Make sure you anchor the box with rocks around the perimeter. Drape and tape burlap or other fabric that can breathe or allow air to pass through. Remove the fabric during the day and replace at nighttime.
Frost Protection Tip 3. For larger plants, drive four stakes (or more, as needed) around plants. Drape with burlap or other fabric that can breathe or allow air to pass through. Remove the fabric during the day and replace at nighttime. Check online for deals and discounts on gardening fabric. Or visit Lowes or your local gardening center.
Frost Protection Tip 4. Bring smaller plants and greenery inside for the evening. Take outdoors for sunlight during the daytime hours.
Frost Protection Tip 5. For container plants, move containers under an eave of the house, if possible. This will keep them away from frost's reach. Position the containers close together for extra protection from nighttime frost.
RESOURCES
Better Homes and Gardens
www.bhg.com
HGTV
www.hgtv.com
Martha Stewart Living
www.marthastewart.com
Do It Yourself
www.doityourself.com
This Old House
www.thisoldhouse.com
Published by M.G. Hardiman - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle
Career professional in non-profit sector, one of AC s Rising Stars (2009) and Featured Contributor in Home Improvement, Health and Wellness, Local, and Arts and Entertainment categories. Washington, DC metr... View profile
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3 Comments
Post a Commentour hibiscus tree survived by being placed close to the house. we brought it in the house just in time after it got hit with a light frost twice. it's still thriving, too.
Excellent information in this article. Thanks!
Too late - they are buried in the snow! I never had a chance to cover them up :) There's always next year, cheers :)