- Extend growing season and protect young plants from frost
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How to protect plants from the cold
In these months when temperatures drop extremely at night, it is recommended that you know how to protect plants from the cold . And there are many trees and plants in your garden that can deteriorate or die because of night frosts and the extreme cold of winter.
Clear, calm nights, where there are few or no clouds to reflect the heat on the ground and little or no wind to disperse the warmer parts of the air, are ideal for frost. The cold air then settles at the lowest point, while the warm air rises and moves away from the ground.
The frost cause ice crystals to form in plant cells, damaging them severely. Ice makes water unavailable to plant tissues and disrupts fluid movement within the plant. Frost-damaged leaves appear soaked in water, wilted, and turn dark brown or black. Its tissues are not able to absorb water, and the plant dies from desiccation.
The protection of plants and trees in cold weather requires some advance planning. Likewise, it is necessary to know in advance what type of trees and plants are best resistant to low temperatures. That way, it will be easier for you to keep your garden in good health.
Next, we explain what to consider before choosing a plant if you live in a cold and frost-prone area.
Tips for choosing trees and plants in cold climates
- Know the resistance of plant species
- The first thing you should assess before planting is that the plants are classified according to the minimum temperatures that they normally tolerate. So-called " hardy plants " tolerate a certain amount of short-term frostbite. While the " tender plants " die or are damaged by freezing temperatures.
Thus, we find that the best cold-resistant plants for a garden are broccoli, carrots, lettuce, cabbage, chives, radish, spinach, chard or leeks.
In contrast, young plants are more sensitive to frost. Among this class of plants we find avocados, tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, corn, bougainvilleas, fuchsias, begonias, geraniums or citrus trees. Also shrubs and trees that bloom in spring, such as cherry and azalea.
Choose the best location
There are a number of factors that can influence whether the life of a tree or plant is lengthened or not. Terrain elevation, surface reflectivity, soil properties, canopy cover, and proximity to other structures or plants can affect the heat radiation your plants receive.
Avoid planting young species in open, exposed areas or low places where cold air settles. These types of plants are best placed near a wall facing south or west, which absorbs heat during the day and radiates it at night. Fences, boulders, walls, bushes and other plants can also serve as a protection function for the other nearby plantations.
The areas with depressions in the soil are very susceptible to freezing , avoid planting them. Cold air drains into these "pockets" and cannot get out. When this happens, plants located in depressed areas can suffer frost damage. Therefore, try not to sow seeds or plant new plants in these low places.
Tricks to protect plants from the cold
When the cold arrives, not only people need to protect ourselves. To ensure that your plants and trees survive low temperatures it may be necessary to cover them just like we do ourselves.
1. Add mulch
A layer of mulch can help protect perennials and newly planted shrubs and trees when cold temperatures hit. As the soil freezes and melts, it can expose some surface roots of the soil, making them even more vulnerable. Mulch helps provide a layer of protection to the roots of the plant in these cases.
2. Cover trees and plants
If you have young trees or varieties that have a thin bark (including some fruit trees), wrap their trunks in cardboard, blankets, or cloth. Otherwise, as the crust expands when the temperature is warm and contracts when it cools, it is likely to break. You can also use plastic to cover trees and plants, but make sure it is black so that it reflects the sun's rays and does not have a greenhouse effect on the trunk.
If you are going to cover your plants before a hard frost, it is best to do it before dark. If you wait until darkness falls, most of the heat stored in the garden will have dissipated.
No matter what type of cover you use, make sure it extends to the ground on each side. Do not leave any openings so that the heat does not escape. It is also advisable to use stakes to prevent the protective material from coming into contact with the foliage. Place the protector over the plant, preventing it from sticking to the trunk. Thus the heat that radiates from the soil will reach the plant.
In the morning, after the frost has thawed, remove the covers. If you don't, the plant could break its dormancy and begin to actively grow again, making it even more susceptible to frost damage in the future.
3. Wet the floor
Water the soil thoroughly (except around succulents). Moist soil keeps heat better than dry soil, protecting the roots and warming the air near the ground. This prevents the roots of the plant from freezing. During the night, the moist soil will release moisture into the air, which will raise the temperature and keep the plants warmer.
It is recommended that you keep the most delicate plants in pots, so that you can take them to a sheltered place when the temperatures drop.
4. Harden the seedlings
Before planting your seedlings, you can acclimate them outdoors by gradually exposing them to outside conditions. This process is known as hardening, and it can help you grow stronger plants that are more likely to withstand the elements.
The hardening process should begin about 14 days before transplantation. When the weather is mild and above 7 ° C, place the seedlings outside during the day in a warm, shady place that is protected from the wind. At night, take them back inside.
After two weeks, the seedlings will be stronger and more resistant plants, and they will be ready for transplanting.
What to do if my plants have frost damage?
The fact that you see that your plants have been damaged by frost does not necessarily mean that you should take drastic measures. Many plants are surprisingly very hardy and will likely sprout again in spring.
So the best option is to wait until the temperatures start to rise again (usually around March) and see if new leaves sprout.
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