Winter months and cold weather are fast approaching. As the weather becomes colder and we feel cold air, it is crucial to know how to keep plants from freezing. Fragile, immature, and delicate plants in particular are at risk of being killed off by a sudden cold snap. Knowing how to protect plants from freezing temperature and frost is important.
There are a lot of easy methods that you may use to preserve plants that are more susceptible to damage, and it is unquestionably preferable to err on the side of caution rather than regret.
There is nothing more upsetting than seeing the lovely plants that you have tenderly cared for and nourished just to watch them perish apparently overnight as a result of the freezing temperatures and cold weather.
If you do not dwell in a warm zone, it is probable that some of the lovely plants and vegetables that you have included into your garden ideas will need some kind of frost protection. If this is the case, continue reading to find out how you may aid in the survival of these vulnerable plants over the winter months.
What Is Frost?
In the late spring and early fall, when weather forecasters issue a frost advisory, it is your cue to take precautions to safeguard annuals and other plants that are easily damaged by the freezing temperature of winter months.
Frost can form at temperatures ranging from 36 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit, contrary to popular belief. The freezing point is 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
Also, frost can either be mild or harsh. The tops of fragile plants might be killed by a light frost that occurs around the upper end of that temperature range, while the lower sections of the plant could continue to maintain their green color.
A hard frost occurs when temperatures remain at or near 32 degrees Fahrenheit for several hours, which is sufficient to cause the death of all above-ground portions.
When the temperature drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, we talk about a freeze, which is more damaging to garden plants, hardy plants, water plants, and tropical plants than a frost.
When the ambient temperature drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit for more than a few hours, it is fatal for tender plants, such as tropical plants and geraniums, as well as for their plant tissue. The end of the growth season in the fall is frequently signaled by the issuance of a freeze warning.
This is because temperatures that are low enough to kill annuals also force hardy perennials, trees, and shrubs to enter dormancy. In the spring, a freeze warning is a signal that you should bring plants that are susceptible to frost indoors.
When To Expect Frost?
Even while it is important to keep an eye on the weather forecast when gardening, there are a few environmental factors that almost always result in frost.
Clear skies provide a cooling impact that allows heat to escape into the atmosphere, while cloudy nights assist insulate the planet against rapid changes in temperature by providing an insulating blanket.
Because there is very little air movement in still conditions with no wind, it is more likely that the temperature will drop below freezing because warmer currents are not being spread across the ground.
There is no question that temperature plays a significant role in the creation of frost, particularly when there is moisture in the air, such as when there is fog or when dew forms overnight, which encourages the formation of ice crystals.
Methods For Preventing Frost Damage To Your Frost Tender Plants
Frost may be fatal to the crops we grow in our gardens, but exercising a little bit of awareness and having certain materials on hand can make a significant difference in the degree to which you are able to protect your tender plants and their plant cells from the frost.
1. Bring the outdoor plant in pots inside.
If there is a chance of frost, you should wait until it is dark outside before bringing your hanging baskets and potted plants inside.
Frost is more likely to cause harm to plants that are grown in containers as compared to plants that are planted in the ground. This is due to the fact that plants grown in containers will not benefit in any way from the insulating qualities of the soil.
In colder temperatures, the roots of plants grown in containers are considerably more likely to become damaged.
Choose a location that is not too warm, as unexpected fluctuations in temperature can be harmful to plants. For example, a location in your garage, shed, or basement would be an excellent choice.
Before putting plants into your home, make sure they have been checked thoroughly for any signs of illness or pests. To reduce the risk of pest infestation in your houseplants, separate outside plants from those kept inside.
When there is no longer a chance of frost, you should move all of your plants back outside as soon as possible in the morning.
2. Plants should be watered in the afternoon to prevent dry soil.
It might not make sense at first, but protecting plants from the cold by keeping the soil moist can really assist.
When it gets dark, the insulating property of moist soil causes heat to rise into the atmosphere.
Be careful to water your plants in the middle of the day, when temperatures are still relatively warm, before a cold spell hits to give them the best chance of survival.
3. Use cloches to provide protection for specific plants.
The bell-shaped cloche, typically made of plastic or glass, protects tender plants from harsh winter conditions. Plastic garden cloches can be purchased and used again and again during the wetter months of spring and fall.
Many common household items can serve as makeshift cloches in a hurry. Some sort of upside-down container, like a bucket or flower pot, would work. As an alternative, you might bury the bottoms of plastic milk jugs that you have cut off.
When using cloches to protect plants from frost, cover them up before evening and remove them in the morning so the plants can soak up the sun’s warmth and energy.
4. Maintain a constant flow of air.
Farmers in commercial agriculture have utilized a variety of strategies to imitate wind in order to protect large swaths of land from freezing temperatures.
A selective inverted sink is one example of this type of apparatus. It consists of a sizable fan installed inside of a chimney and is designed to draw warmer air downward to the ground while simultaneously drawing colder air upward and away from the building.
One other method involves delegating a number of low-flying helicopters with the mission of maintaining the flow of air over the crops.
Even though none of these strategies is practical for the home gardener, the concept of employing air circulation to protect plants against frost may be utilized, albeit on a much more limited scale.
This method of wind simulation has the potential to elevate the temperatures in your garden patch by between 2 and 7 degrees Fahrenheit.
In addition to that, an electric fan can be used to simulate the sensation of a breeze on evenings when there is no chance of precipitation and the air is motionless. Because electronics and water do not get along very well, you might want to make an investment in a strong blower designed specifically for use outside.
Put portable fans away from direct sunlight whenever it is practicable to do so. Place it a few feet from the ground at the very least, but the higher you can get it, the better.
This will ensure that warmer air is attracted downward. Make every effort to position it in such a way that the breeze will pass over all of the plants in the plot.
5. Provide them with frost cloth or frost covers.
The protection of a larger number of plants may be accomplished with little effort by simply covering them with sheets, blankets, towels, or drop cloths. A tent-like structure can be created by placing many stakes around your plants before laying down the fabric.
It is important that the cloth drapes all the way down to the ground, covering the plants completely. Avoid tying it around the plant’s main stem or trunk, as this will prevent the plant from benefiting from mother nature’s warmth.
A final plastic layer, such as a tarp or an old shower curtain, might be added for frost protection. If you are using plastic to protect your plants, be sure it does not come into contact with the foliage.
To keep the coverings in place during the night and keep the wind from blowing them away, weigh the corners and edges with big stones or bricks.
This should be done just before sunset for the reason that the next morning, you will want to take down the coverings as soon as you can.
If frost protection is a persistent issue in your garden, a frost blanket like this one that can be tailored to your specific needs is worth considering.
For extremely cold evenings, placing your plants on a mylar thermal blanket, also known as a space blanket, with the aluminized side down will help reflect 99% of the heat back into the earth, keeping your plants warm and cozy.
The plastic should be covered with a space blanket. This miniature hoop house set has everything you need to keep your garden rows looking neat and tidy, including steel hoops and a heat-retaining, heavy-duty garden fleece covering.
6. Insulate your trees.
Frost injury can be fatal to trees between the ages of one and four, when they are at their most vulnerable. Similarly, if spring frost damages the buds and blossoms of fruit trees, the trees will grow more slowly and produce a smaller yield overall.
The citrus trees in your yard need special care when the temperature drops below 29 degrees Fahrenheit. Wrapping a tree’s trunk in a towel, blanket, cardboard, rags, or even pipe insulation can help keep it warm over the winter.
Wraps made of burlap or felted wool can also be used to safeguard trees. Begin at the trunk’s foot and wrap clockwise, overlapping your layers by a few inches. Repeat this wrapping process until you reach the tree’s lowest branches. You can use twine or waterproof tape to fasten the wrapping to the tree.
If the temperature is expected to stay above 26 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended period of time, you may want to use plastic sheeting as an extra layer of wrap to prevent frost damage.
7. Spread a thick layer of mulch over the area.
Applying a layer of mulch to your garden beds is similar to putting on a sweater when it is cold. It will help insulate the soil from sudden swings in temperature and protect your plants from damage. This can be analogized to the act of sliding on a sweater.
You may use straw, wood chips, leaf mold, or even simply a mound of leaves to provide essential insulation for the root systems of plants that are situated below the surface of the ground. This is essential for the continued existence of the plants.
Spread a thick layer of mulch to a depth of between three and six inches in order to create a reliable barrier. Leave a gap of about an inch or two all the way around the core stalk of the plant so that the heat from the soil may reach the upper parts of the plant.
In spite of the fact that mulching your garden beds is one of the best things you can do to keep things low maintenance and require less work, you will want to remove some of this protective mulch from your garden beds when the weather begins to warm up.
This is because the removal of this mulch will allow the soil in your garden beds to breathe easier.
What To Do When Cold Temperatures Strike Frost Sensitive Plants
A blackening or browning of your plant’s leaves and branches is a telltale sign that they have been damaged by frost.
Before beginning any kind of trimming, you need to ensure that the temperature has risen above freezing and that there is no longer any risk of frost.
Wait until there are indications of fresh growth to sprout on the wilted plants before chopping them down. Do not prematurely prune the plant by removing branches and twigs, even if they appear to be dead.
How To Prevent Frost Damage To Plants And Which Plants Should Be Prevented?
There are several categories of plants in your backyard that will require protection from the frost. However, not all plants will require this protection. These are the following:
- Seedlings and fresh shoots
- Fragile perennials
- Those plants that are just partially hardy
- Palms, banana trees, and other subtropical and tropical flora
Damage caused by frost can be identified by the appearance of blackened, deformed, or weak growth as well as leaves on evergreen plants and shrubs becoming green.
When in doubt, conduct some study on the growing environment and resiliency of particular plants. If there is a chance of frost in your state or region, it is prudent to err on the side of caution and incorporate frost protection into your ideas for a winter garden.
Final Words
Either taking preventative measures when frost warnings are given or protecting crops from frost damage by careful site selection, specific crop and soil management practices, and other passive ways of protection are all viable options.
This article has covered all the many different strategies, both passive and active, to teach you how to keep plants from freezing. The terms frost and freeze are explained, as well as the climatic circumstances under which preventative measures can be taken against cold weather as well as freezing.