With the weather getting colder and frost on its way, you may be starting to worry about how your plants will fair. However, there’s no need for alarm!
With just a few simple precautions taken now can protect them from this pesky wintertime hazard all-year round–and make sure their growth doesn’t suffer either.
Growing plants is not just about knowing which ones are hardy or non-hardy. There’s also a lot of research you should do before purchasing to see if your area has cold temperatures that would kill the plant, and what time they’re most likely tolerate freezing levels without dying (or at least showing serious damage.
SITE SELECTION FOR PLANTS:
One of the best preventative measures is to protect your plants from cold and frost. Try not planting tender, non-hardy plants in wide open spaces as they may wilt or die back before coming into bloom.
Rather, find a spot that’s more protected. This will absorb heat during the day and you can also use fences or shrubs as protection from it!
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES:
- It’s important to water the soil thoroughly so that plants can survive. This is because wet soil will hold heat better than dry earth, and if you don’t do this your plant may die from a lack of moisture in its roots!
- Protect your plants and vegetables from a wide range of harmful weather conditions with coverings such as drop cloths, blankets or tarps. Use stakes to hold them in place so they don’t touch the soil!
- When temperatures come up in the morning, remove the coverings.
- If you are planning to plant in the fall and winter months, be sure that temperatures don’t drop too low. Consider covering your planting area with straw or mulch so plants will have enough protection from frost, and once the frost has passed, you can remove the coverings.
- The best way to keep your plants healthy is with a 100-watt lamp. This can be placed inside of the tree, and it will emit enough heat in order to reduce frost damage on ground level surfaces!
- Check if your local nursery stocks an anti-transpirant. If they do, spray this on sensitive plants to protect them from drying out and wilting away due to the hot summer months ahead!
- One of the best ways to protect your plants from harsh weather is by grouping them together and sheltering them near a wall or fence, if possible.
HOW TO PROTECT SUCCULENTS FROM FROST:
Succulents are the most sensitive of all plants to frost. This means that they need special care and attention in order not to be damaged by low temperatures or freezing weather, which can kill them off completely if left unchecked. Therefore, protect them by bringing them inside during the harsh winter months.
WHAT TO DO IF PLANTS ARE AFFECTED BY FROST:
How do you protect plants from frost? There’s more to it than just covering them with a blanket, and if that doesn’t work for some reason then don’t worry too much about your poor little potted friends. Believe me when I tell you they are surprisingly resilient!
The worst thing you can do is remove frost affected parts of the plant. Even if it doesn’t look good, please leave those damaged leaves on until spring! In a lot of cases, plants will sprout new leaves and healthy growth after you remove the damaged parts. If there is no sign for new development within 3 weeks or so then it’s time to say goodbye because your plant may already be dead!