Protect Your Spring Plants From Frost

Mar 9, 2017 | Blog

Protect your plants from spring frost!

Many people ask what the best methods are for making sure that the frost doesn’t damage their newly blossoming plants. The plants will survive the cold temps, but the damage might be the loss of blossoms that have already opened.  If you can, protect your plants that have started to bloom with these 3 quick methods!

There Are Two Types of Frost

A light frost occurs when temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and a hard frost occurs when temperatures drop below 25 degrees for 4 consecutive hours or more.  A hard frost is much more difficult for a plant to survive, so make sure to watch the forecast and plan accordingly.

Here are some of the best ways to protect your spring blooming plants from the upcoming frost!

  1. Cover them up!
    Providing your plant with insulation will ensure that the plant cells stay warm enough to make it through the night.  This will keep them from losing the heat they stored up through the day, as well as trap heat that rises from the soil.
    -Use a sheet.  Drape a light fabric sheet over larger plants or groupings of plants.
    -Cover with a plastic pot. This is a great use for those plastic pots that come with plants from the store.  Just turn them upside down and put them over small plants that can stand up to the weight of a linen.
    -Use sheets of plastic. Cover small or larger plants with a thin plastic sheet.  This method will also allow the plants to still catch sun if it isn’t too cloudy.
    -Cups, bins, cloches, and bowls all work great if flipped upside down
  2. Water thoroughly
    Make sure to give your plants lots of water before 8 PM the night of the frost.  Frost will dry plants out, so they need as much warm water as they can get!
  3. Remove any coverings at sunrise.
    Make sure the plants are uncovered by 8 AM! This will make sure that the plants don’t lose any chance for sunlight, as well as keeping them from overheating in the enclosed space.

These methods offer limited protection, but they could be the difference between losing your early spring blossoms or enjoying the bloom.

What ways do you use to protect your plants?  Let us know!

Shop Natives by Category

Signup For Our Newsletter

Loading