Ethan Clarke
Frost is a serious concern for gardeners and farmers, as it can cause withered, limp, and blackened leaves and stems, shrivelled flowers and fruit, and completely kill seedlings. It occurs when the temperature drops low enough to freeze the moisture on plant leaves and buds. While inverted plant pots can provide some protection from frost, plastic coverings are not the best material for this purpose. Plastic is not breathable, so moisture can get trapped, causing more serious freeze damage. For this reason, fabrics like cotton or linen towels, burlap, or even newspaper are recommended for protecting plants from frost.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness of using plastic plant containers to protect plants from frost | Plastic can be used to protect plants from frost, but it is not the best material as it is not breathable and can trap moisture, causing frost damage. |
| Alternative materials for protection | Fabrics made from natural materials (e.g. cotton, linen, burlap), old bedspreads, blankets, large towels, newspaper |
| Other protection methods | Moving plants indoors or into a shed/garage, placing containers in shady areas, adequate watering, using non-porous containers (e.g. concrete, metal) |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic coverings can trap moisture, causing frost damage
Plastic coverings can protect plants from frost, but they can also trap moisture, causing frost damage. While plastic can be used to cover plants, it is not the best material for this purpose. Plastic coverings are not breathable, so moisture can become trapped beneath them. This can lead to increased moisture accumulation, which can be more damaging to plants than the cold itself. The trapped moisture can foster an environment that is ripe for fungal diseases.
As the temperature decreases, the moisture in the air condenses to dew, which then freezes when the temperature drops to 32°F on plant surfaces. If the temperature drops further, the plant cells can freeze, causing non-hardy plants to die. The increased moisture trapped under non-breathable plastic can therefore present a greater threat to the health of plants and increase the likelihood of their early demise.
To avoid this, it is recommended to use fabric coverings made of natural materials such as cotton or linen towels or blankets, open burlap bags, or even newspaper. Fabric coverings allow moisture to escape while still protecting plants from frost. They prevent freezing air from coming into direct contact with the moisture on the plant while capturing the heat radiating from the ground.
If plastic is used, it is important to ensure that it does not touch the plants. Plastic that comes into direct contact with plants can cause more serious freeze damage by holding moisture against plant tissues.
In addition to fabric and plastic coverings, other methods to protect plants from frost include moving plants to an insulated indoor location, such as a garden shed or garage, or using straw or mulch to insulate the soil and protect roots from freezing.
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Move plants indoors or to a shed/garage for protection
When frost is forecast, it's time to take action to protect your plants. If you have plants in containers, it's generally easy to move them indoors or into a shed or garage for protection.
Small container gardens and plants still in their nursery pots can be moved indoors temporarily. A heated location isn't always necessary, but if temperatures are near freezing, it's best to move plants inside to an insulated location. A garage or shed will usually provide enough protection during a frost.
For potted plants that can't be moved, group them together against a heated wall or a south- or west-facing brick or stone wall. The saved heat from the wall can create a warm microclimate that may protect plants from a light freeze.
If you're unable to move your container plants inside, you can protect them by wrapping the containers with bubble wrap or burlap. Burying the pots in the ground will also provide insulation for the roots.
Remember, frost can be unpredictable, and temperatures below 32°F can be deadly for tender plants. It's important to take action to protect your plants before the cold sets in.
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Cover plants with cloth, burlap or fabric to prevent frost damage
An icy forecast can mean trouble for some plants in your garden unless you know how to protect them from frost. Frost can cause withered, limp, and blackened leaves and stems, shrivelled flowers and fruit, and completely kill seedlings. Temperatures in the low 30°F range can kill vegetable crops and tender summer annuals like petunias and begonias.
To protect your plants from frost, you will need to cover them with cloth, burlap, or fabric to keep the moisture from freezing. Fabric coverings will prevent the freezing air from coming into direct contact with the moisture on the plant while also capturing the heat that is radiating from the ground.
Round up old bedspreads, blankets, and large towels, then drape them loosely over plants, supporting the material with stakes as needed. Be sure the plant cover extends to the ground in all places to create a small dome of insulation. If the wind is a problem, anchor the fabric to the ground with bricks, stones, or another heavy object. Woven fabric provides better protection than plastic or paper. You can add plastic sheets on top of your fabric layer to shield it from precipitation.
As an alternative to plastic for frost coverage, fabrics made of natural materials like cotton or linen towels or blankets, an open burlap bag, or even newspaper are recommended. These natural fabrics allow moisture to escape but still protect your potted plants and landscaping flowers from inclement weather.
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Protect plants by placing containers in shadier spots
Protecting plants from frost is a delicate task, as the temperature drops, the moisture in the air condenses to dew, which freezes when the temperature falls to 32°F. This can cause withered, limp, and blackened leaves and stems, shrivelled flowers and fruit, and completely kill seedlings.
To protect plants from frost, you can cover them with plastic, but this is not recommended as it is not breathable, causing moisture to get trapped inside. If the temperature drops further, the increased moisture can harm your plants. Plastic can be used to cover other materials, such as fabric, to protect from precipitation, but it should not touch the plant.
A better option for protecting plants from frost is to use fabric coverings, such as sheets, comforters, or burlap bags, which allow moisture to escape while still protecting the plant from frost. These can be draped over stakes or forms placed around the plants to protect them from the cold and wind.
Now, to protect plants by placing containers in shadier spots, you can utilise the natural shade provided by larger plants or trees. Grouping plants together can create a microclimate, offering protection from the harsh sun. You can also place potted plants strategically in spots away from direct sunlight. For more control over the amount of shade, you can use portable plant covers, umbrellas, or a reflective tree wrap to shield your plants from the intense summer sun.
When placing containers in shadier spots, it's important to consider the specific needs of the plants. Some plants thrive in partial sun to shade, such as coleus, creeping Jenny, vinca, caladium, coral bells, and certain varieties of ferns. Brunnera, known for its large silvery leaves and blue flowers, is another excellent choice for adding colour and foliage to shady containers.
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Water potted plants during the day to protect from frost
Watering potted plants during the day is an effective way to protect them from frost damage. Moist soil retains more heat than dry soil, so watering plants before frost is expected can help keep the ground warmer through the night. This is because when water freezes, it releases heat, providing some warmth to the roots.
It is important to ensure that plants are well-watered a few days in advance of a cold snap. Watering just before the freeze can also help, but care should be taken not to overwater, as excess moisture can damage roots and freeze the foliage.
Although it is best to water during the day, if a freeze is expected, it is recommended to water in the afternoon before temperatures start dropping as the sun goes down. This can help to protect the plants' delicate root systems, as mature roots can gradually get used to the cold, but young, immature roots cannot.
In addition to watering, covering plants with cloth, burlap, or plastic can provide extra frost protection. However, plastic should not be placed directly on the plants as it is not breathable, and moisture can become trapped, causing more serious freeze damage. Instead, plastic can be used to cover a structure erected around the plants, providing extra insulation.
To summarise, watering potted plants during the day and using covers can effectively protect them from frost damage. Watering provides warmth to the roots, while covers trap heat radiating from the soil. By combining these methods, gardeners can better safeguard their plants from frost.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can use inverted plant plastic containers to protect your plants from frost. However, it is not the best material for this purpose as it is not breathable, causing moisture to get trapped inside.
A good alternative to using inverted plant plastic containers is to use fabrics made of natural materials such as cotton or linen towels or blankets. You can also use burlap bags or newspapers.
When weather forecasters issue a frost advisory in late spring or early fall, that is usually your cue to protect your plants. Temperatures in the low 30°F range can kill vegetable crops and tender plants.
Yes, you can also protect your plants from frost by moving them indoors temporarily. A heated location is not always necessary; a garden shed or a garage will provide enough protection during a frost.
