Everything you need to know about protecting your garden from frost
Along with bugs and weeds, frost can often be a garden’s worst nightmare. If you want your flowers and plants to make it through the cold season, it’s vital that you take the right steps to protect your garden. We’ve compiled a list of ten things to keep in mind when fighting the good fight against frost.
Why is frost such a problem?
Frost can be really damaging to your garden. Severe frost damage can stunt growth and cause the leaves on your plants to go brown. Be in no doubt, frost can very easily kill a plant.
How can I tell if my plants have been damaged by frost?
Frost damage is very easy to spot. You don’t have to be a gardening expert to see when the cold weather has taken its toll. You may start to notice your plants becoming limp and lifeless. Black marks from scorching are another tell-tale sign.
Can frost damage vegetables, too?
If you have a vegetable patch, you’ll be well aware of the perils of frost damage. Just like plants, frost can be a real bugbear. Hardy winter vegetables (cabbages, cauliflowers, peas etc.) are experts at growing in cold conditions. Sadly the same cannot be said for weaker vegetables like tomatoes.
What can you grow in the garden over the winter?
There are a number of ways you can protect your crops against the frost. Potted vegetables, fruit and herbs, can be moved to the greenhouse. If you don’t have a greenhouse, place a protective frost-resistant blanket over your plants overnight.
So, how can I protect my plants and flowers from frost?
As any gardening programme will tell you, prevention is better than cure. It’s easier to protect your petunias than to resuscitate your roses. The best thing to do is to invest in protective frost jackets, which are available from most garden centres.
Frost-proof pots, is there such a thing?
Traditional terracotta pots can sometimes also be damaged by the frost, the freezing and defrosting process can cause your pots to crack and break. Seek the help of a few frost-resistant plant pots to combat this. Again you’ll find these in all good gardening shops.
As celebrity gardener David Domoney rightly puts it: “Damaged pots in the winter cost you twice – once to replace the pot and again to replace the plant.”
What about furniture?
Not only is it necessary to protect your plants and vegetables against frost, but also your furniture. Whilst rattan furniture is hardwearing, a little care will ensure that it stays at its best. Click here for more advice on preparing your rattan furniture for winter.
Is frost damage just a winter problem?
Late frosts can occur throughout the year, as late as spring. It’s best to always keep an eye on the weather and take the above steps to protect your plants and vegetables.
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