{"id":26320,"date":"2023-11-26T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-26T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/moowy.co.uk\/?p=26320"},"modified":"2023-12-04T08:25:56","modified_gmt":"2023-12-04T08:25:56","slug":"how-to-protect-your-plants-from-frost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/moowy.co.uk\/how-to-protect-your-plants-from-frost\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Protect Your Plants from Frost: 4 Top Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Every gardener knows the importance of protecting their plants from frost, which damages leaves, flowers, and entire crops if left exposed. Fortunately, there are simple ways to protect your plants from low temperatures during the winter. Read on to find out how to protect your plants from frost?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From covering your plants with blankets, old carpets, or plastic to adding mulch, straw, or horticultural fleece, this blog shares four top tips about how to protect your plants from frost this winter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, let’s go! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is frost? And why is it harmful to plants?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frost occurs when moisture in the air freezes, creating tiny ice crystals which cling to surfaces, including your plants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And while it can be nice to look at, frost is the enemy of many garden plants: ice crystals will damage your plant’s cells, leading to wilting, discolouration, and even death. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, wrap your plants up nice and warm this winter, or bring them inside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is how to wrap your plants for warmth:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip 1: Cover your plants with a blanket or plastic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Horticultural<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Horticultural fleece is a lightweight, typically transparent, material designed to wrap around your plants, protecting them from harsh weather conditions and pests. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traditionally, gardeners used transparent polythene sheets with tiny perforations to aid air circulation. And while these are effective, they can cause overheating and lack nighttime insulation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, these days, polythene has been superseded by polypropylene fleece (aka horticultural fleece), which is white-coloured, warm to the touch, and extremely lightweight. And with greatly improved insulation properties, horticultural fleece is ideal for tender plants, providing a layer of protection that helps them make it through the winter.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember, whatever you use to cover your plants, ensure daylight can still get through. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip 2: Add mulch or straw to protect the roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Person<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A horticultural fleece or plastic sheet helps the tender plant upper, but what about the roots?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because if the soil freezes, so do your plant’s roots. And while some plants are more frost-resistant than others, keeping the earth warm around the root network is a good idea.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, add a layer of mulch, such as straw, wood chippings, leaf mould, or compost, which will help protect the soil from frost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mulch has a range of benefits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n