Bring Plants Indoors Bringing plants indoors is the easiest way to protect them from frost or freeze damage. Potted tropical and annual containers can be pulled into a heated room, porch, or into a protected and warm structure, such as a garage, to protect them overnight.
Cover Plants – Protect plants from all but the hardest freeze (28°F for five hours) by covering them with sheets, towels, blankets, cardboard or a tarp. You can also invert baskets, coolers or any container with a solid bottom over plants. Cover plants before dark to trap warmer air.
Covering plant material at temperatures between 39-30 with freeze cloth or covering can be effective. Prolonged exposure at temperatures of 28 degrees and below will notice protection results diminish with each degree dropped.
Don't use plastic sheets or bags draped over the plant in a way that contacts the leaves! Plastic traps condensation which can freeze, which will damage any parts of the plant it is touching. Fabric is a better choice because it will let moisture out while holding onto some heat from the earth.
IMPORTANT! Never use plastic of any kind, including black plastic garbage bags, to cover plants, as plastic conducts cold to the leaves and will increase the likelihood of damage to the plant. Old sheets, blankets, drop cloths and special frost protection blankets (called Reemay cloth or floating row covers) work best.
A light frost may cause minimal damage while a severe frost may kill plants. Young, vulnerable plants are much more susceptible to a light freeze, which occurs when temperatures are 29 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit, while mature plants may only suffer from short-term effects.
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. Bed sheets or comforters work best for covering large plants and shrubs.
Fabric row cover allows rain in, thus watering your crops. Clear plastic does not allow water penetration. Snow can be tricky with either material… It will build up on the top of fabric row cover causing the material to stretch and droop, potentially putting a lot of weight on top of your plants.
Thoroughly Water plants if it won't rain before the freezing temperatures arrive. It may sound illogical. However, the moist ground stays warmer than dry soil. Watering the night before the freeze will insulate the grass and plants' root structure and decrease the potential for cold injury.
What Is The Best Material To Cover Plants From Frost? The best material to use for covering plants is polypropylene fabric. It dries more quickly than other materials, is breathable for plants, and is lightweight enough not to cause any damage to delicate crops or plants.
When do I know it's safe to bring my plant outside? It's safe to move your plants outside when the outdoor temperatures stay consistently above 50°F. Pay attention to the weather report. If nighttime temperatures are set to fall below 50°F, bring your plants in for the night.
Properly applied frost cloth can protect your frost sensitive plants from the cold even when the temps dip into the 20s! If necessary, the frost cloth can be left on the plants for an extended period of time without the risk of harming your plants.
In fact, you can leave plants covered with blankets or sheets for several days without harming them if freezes are likely for several nights in a row. But eventually the covers must be removed so the plants can get light.
Place cardboard boxes, large trash cans, or plastic tubs over outdoor plants. Be sure to cover the plants all the way to the ground. The warmth from the soil is what keeps the plant warm, since the soil takes longer to freeze.
You can prevent frost damage by applying a light mist of water just before and during freezing temperatures.
By covering plants with clear tarps, gardeners can trap warmth around the soil and plant, keeping them shielded from frost. This technique is particularly useful for extending the life of herbs, leafy greens, and other hardy vegetables that thrive in cooler weather but require frost protection.
A moderate frost, with temperatures ranging from about 28°F to 32°F, necessitates a bit more precaution. In addition to tucking your plants in well with some frost cloth or cover, it's also a good idea to water your plants the evening before frost is expected to hit.
The root of the trick's protection is a concept called "latent heat of fusion." When the water on the plant starts to freeze, it releases heat (a necessary process to turn water into ice), and that heat helps protect the plant.
A thick layer of mulch, such as shredded bark or compost, can help insulate tender plants. Cover the entire plant with mulch the night before low temperatures are forecast. Remove it when the weather warms up again. Messy and labor-intensive, mulch may not be the best option for large planting areas.
If you're looking for tips for protecting your plants from frost, avoid using garbage bags as plant covers. Trash bags are not the best protection against frost damage, primarily due to their material. Most garbage bags are made out of low-density polyethylene plastic.
Row cover, also know as reemay or frost cloth, is a light white fabric, usually made of polypropylene or polyester, that can be placed over plants to protect them from low temperatures, insects and pests. You can keep it over your plants day and night because light and water can both get through.
When late spring temperatures are forecasted to be below freezing, just like in the fall, spring plants can be protected by bringing them indoors, covering them with sheets or frost blankets, or utilizing cold frames or grow tunnels.
DIY Frost Protection for Plants
Instead, just grab some old towels, sheets, and even bedspreads. Fabric is great to trap warmth radiating from the ground and from the soil. Fabric covers also prevent any moisture in or on your plants from coming into direct contact with freezing air.
Will a covered porch protect plants from frost? Yes, it will provide partial protection from light ice and chilly winds. Uproot tender perennials — Tender perennials are plants that cannot withstand deep freeze (roots, bulbs, tubers, and corms).
While landscape fabric is a helpful tool for frost protection, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Different plants have varying frost tolerances, and some may require additional measures for optimal protection. Always check your local frost dates and be prepared to cover or uncover your plants as necessary.