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protecting plants from frost
Such buildings also allow you to extend the season, start sowing seeds earlier, and give you indoor areas to potter if you still want that gardening fix when the rain comes. Greenhouses and cold frames are also a great way of <anchor>protecting plants from frost</anchor> and backyard greenhouses are now more popular than ever. There are also plenty of ways of creating a DIY greenhouse, so even if budget is tight there are options available to you.
How to protect plants from frost: 10 quick and easy methods | Homes & Gardens
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# How to protect plants from frost – Quick and easy ways to provide winter shelter and keep plants alive

Tender, tropical, and young plants need to be protected from frost and snow during the coldest months of the year

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how to protect plants from frost in a garden border

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last updated 12 January 2024

As the cold weather sets in, it's important to know how to protect plants from frost, as tender and young plants in particular can be wiped out by a sudden cold snap.

There are many quick ways you can protect more vulnerable plants and it's definitely better to be safe than sorry – there is nothing more devastating than seeing the beautiful plants you have lovingly nurtured destroyed seemingly overnight by a visit from Jack Frost.

Unless you live in a warm zone, it is likely that some of the ornamental plants and crops you have included in your garden ideas will be in need of some protection, so read on to find out how you can help their survival through the colder months.

## What plants will need protecting?

Best winter plants for pots and borders

(Image credit: National Trust)

Not all plants in your backyard will need protection from the frost, but there are certain categories that will. These include:

- Young seedlings and new growth
- Tender perennials
- Half-hardy varieties
- Tropical and subtropical plants such as palms and banana plants

Signs of frost damage include blackened, distorted or limp growth and the leaves turning green on evergreen plants and shrubs.

If in any doubt, research the conditions and hardiness of specific plants. Err on the side of caution and include frost protection in your winter garden ideas if cold weather is forecast in your state or area.

In terms of vegetable crops, there are some that actually benefit from a dose of frost and can taste better afterwards. 'There are some veg crops that are frost tolerant, if not frost resistant,' explains Nicole Burke, author of Rooted Garden.

If you live in a colder zone, it is therefore worth learning how to grow kale and other frost tolerant vegetable crops.

kale plants covered in frost

(Image credit: Getty Images)

### Ways to protect plants from frost

Whether you are growing plants in the ground in flower beds or borders, in raised beds, or as part of container gardens, there are ways to protect them from frost frosts. We look at 10 quick and simple methods to safeguard your plants this winter.

## 1. Bring potted plants indoors

various fuchsias flowering in white containers in a back garden including a standard type and trailing variety

(Image credit: Future)

There are many quick ways for how to protect plants from frost, and among the easiest is to bring potted plants indoors, especially tender container plants.

Potted plants are more susceptible to frost damage because they don't have the insulated benefits of of those planted in the ground.

Use a conservatory, garden room, garage, porch or frost-free greenhouse to overwinter potted plants – not somewhere that is too warm.

## 2. Add a layer of mulch on garden beds

compost on a shovel

(Image credit: Alamy)

'Apply dry mulch, such as chipped bark or straw around borderline-hardy plants, such as agapanthus, phygelius (cape fuchsia), hedychium and the architectural melianthus to protect the crown,' advises plant expert Sarah Raven.

You could also use leaf mold or piles of leaves to add some extra protection on garden beds and provide a barrier against the cold.

## 3. Cover plants with fleece

Protecting plants from frost using horticultural fleece

(Image credit: Getty Images)

You may wonder how to protect plants from frost when they are planted in the ground? One method – which is useful for larger garden plants and shrubs – is to cover them with a frost cloth of horticultural fleece. You could use blankets or bubble wrap, too, to create a protective cover. These Amazon plant covers come highly recommended by reviewers.

Place several stakes around your plants and then cover these with the chosen material to create a tent-like structure. Weigh down the corners to prevent the coverings from blowing away in the night and remove the covers during the day.

You can use this method for plants that require winter protection, such as for winterizing tree ferns, agapanthus, and cordyline.

'Fleece is very effective, but if you prefer something less obtrusive, a circle of wire netting filled with bracken or leaves will keep the cold at bay, too' advises Sarah Raven.

You can also wrap the trunks of young trees with horticultural fleece or blankets, such as if you're growing some of the best fruit trees or have mastered how to grow lemon from seed.

## 4. Place tender plants in a sheltered spot

landscaping with tree by patio

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The mantra 'right plant, right place' is relevant when considering how to protect plants from frost.

'Always plant half hardy and frost tender plants in a sheltered position, preferably near a south or west-facing wall, which will absorb heat during the day and radiate it at night,' advise the experts at Jacksons Nurseries.

'Eliminating the wind chill factor can substantially reduce the amount of frost damage incurred,' they add.

Other sheltered positions will include next to fences, under large evergreen trees for gardens, under the protection of pergola ideas or in patio or courtyard areas, as long as these also receive plenty of sunshine.

While a sunny, sheltered spot is ideal for many tender plants, do not place early-flowering plants, such as magnolias and camellias, so that they are exposed to the morning sun. 'The rapid thawing of frozen buds can result in blackening and bud drop,' advises Guy Barter, horticultural expert at the RHS.

## 5. Lift and store tender perennials

roots of a dahlia on spade held by woman in garden

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Tender perennials that have bloomed and died down can be lifted to protect them from frost.

Store the roots, bulbs, tubers and corms in a cool but frost-free place, such as a potting shed or greenhouse. There are lots of mini greenhouses to shop at Amazon, should you only have a few tender perennials to protect.

## 6. Protect tender plants with a cloche

Prepare the garden for winter

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Garrett)

If you're wondering how to protect plants from frost in the vegetable patch, then a cloche is one of the best methods. A cloche can be used to protect seedlings and smaller plants from frost.

Cloches are bell-shaped covers made from glass or plastic that can be placed over the plants. You can buy cloches or even make your own out of recycled objects. They also sell a range of cloches on Amazon.

'Cut-off large plastic bottlesor milk containers can be turned into homemade cloches to embed into the soil around small plants and seedlings to provide protection,' advise the experts at Jackson Nurseries.

Remove them during the day to allow the plants to benefit from the warmth and energy of the sun.

Cloches are ideal for use with young vegetable crops that are sown in fall, such as fava beans, spinach, scallions or spring onions and asparagus.

## 7. Move plants into a cold frame

cold frame and cloches used to protect tender plants from frost

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Young hardy annuals that are sown in fall may also benefit from some protection from frost.

Place them in the shelter of a cold frame over winter, although ensure they have good ventilation on warmer days.

You can buy a portable and solid cold frame, such as this Costway Cold Frame available at Walmart. Alternatively, you could make your old cold frame if you don't already have one, advise the experts at Jacksons Nurseries.

To make your own temporary cold frame:

- Bend slender, metal rods into loops – you could use wire coat hangars for this
- Insert the ends of the metal loops into the ground either side of a row of crops or plants
- Lay a sheet of clear plastic over the frame and secure it in place to protect the plants below

## 8. Water plants in the morning

watering plants in the morning to protect them from frost

(Image credit: Getty Images)

You probably wouldn't think that your routine for watering plants could make a difference when considering how to protect plants from frost – but in fact it can help support any protective measures you take.

It is best to water plants in the morning during winter and when there is a risk of frost, because wet soil actually absorbs heat during the day and has an insulating effect.

## 9. Wrap containers

Japanese maple acer in pot in garden

(Image credit: Ian West / Alamy Stock Photo)

If you are unable to move containers indoors as a method for how to protect plants from frost, then try to protect them from the elements outdoors by placing the pots in sheltered areas, and where possible grouped together for added protection against the cold and wind.

Container plants are more likely to suffer from their roots freezing. To prevent this, 'wrap the containers with bubble wrap from Amazon or straw, or bury the pots in the ground with just the rim showing, to benefit from the insulating properties of the ground,' advise the RHS experts.

Also raise containers using pot feet or by resting them on bricks to allow water to drain away more easily, and prevent plants sitting in icy water. An example of feet to use to raise pots include the UFelice Invisible Pot Feet, available at Amazon.

## 10. Choose the right plants for your backyard

Courtyard garden ideas

(Image credit: Future / Camilla Reynolds)

Rather than trying to protect plants that are not suited to the climate of your backyard, instead choose those that are reliably hardy in the zone where you live. This will prevent the disappointment of losing plants when they aren't adequately protected.

Many evergreen shrubs and plants are fairly hardy. Plants will have a hardiness rating ranging from fully hardy – able to withstand temperatures of  0-10 °F – to frost tender, which might not survive being exposed to temperatures below 40-50 °F.

While this might limit to some extent the plants or crops you can include in your garden, there will still be plenty of options suitable to your US hardiness zone.

### FAQs

### What can I cover my plants with to prevent frost?

There are many materials that you can use to cover plants with to prevent frost.

You can find many permeable horticultural fleeces and frost protection products on the market, but can also use materials that you can find around the house – just make sure they are lightweight, breathable and insulating.

Options to use include:

- Straw
- Bubble wrap
- Blankets, bed sheets, towels
- Newspaper
- Leaves or other organic materials

### What temperature should I cover my plants for frost?

The temperature that you should cover your plants from frost to protect them will depend on the individual plants and the conditions and position in which they are planted.

Frost occurs in temperatures below 32°F so this is the point at which you need to be protecting plants in winter. Most plants will need protecting from temperatures of 30°F or lower, but frost tender specimens should be protected before temperatures dip this low.

### Can I use plastic bags to cover plants from frost?

It is not advisable to use plastic bags to cover plants from frost. This is because plastic can damage your plants if it makes contact with foliage, as it holds water against the plant and causes more damage from freezing.

It also isn't a very insulating material, nor is it an eco-friendly or a sustainable option, so look for alternatives when deciding how to protect plants from frost.

Taking measures to protect plants from frost and snow should definitely be part of your winter gardening checklist. Being proactive can make all the difference to ensuring all of your plants come through winter unscathed.

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Rachel is senior content editor, and writes gardening content for homesandgardens.com, Homes & Gardens magazine, and its sister titles Period Living Magazine and Country Homes & Interiors. She has written for lifestyle magazines for many years, with a particular focus on gardening, historic houses and arts and crafts, but started out her journalism career in BBC radio, where she enjoyed reporting on and writing programme scripts for all manner of stories. Rachel then moved into regional lifestyle magazines, where the topics she wrote about, and people she interviewed, were as varied and eclectic as they were on radio. Always harboring a passion for homes and gardens, she jumped at the opportunity to work on The English Home and The English Garden magazines for a number of years, before joining the Period Living team.

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