We have been very lucky the last few weeks with beautiful sunny weather; however, the temperature is unpredictable this time of year and the weather has taken a vast turn, plummeting to minus degrees. Protecting your plants from cold freezing weather is a must during the days and evenings and it is necessary that precautions are taken to protect your plants over the next few weeks!

During the colder weeks of the Spring season, many plants may succumb to frost or cold weather and roots can become rotten. It is therefore vital to protect your plants before the frost arrives to ensure a good display for the rest of the year. The degree to which you protect your plants is dependent on where you live. In sheltered city gardens, it is possible that you may not require any protection at all. However, if you live in the countryside and your garden is exposed you are going to require more protection.

General Protection

For general protection of your plants, apply a layer of mulch around 6cm deep in the beds and borders of your garden. Alternatively, you could opt for bark or decorative mulches such as slate chippings or gravel. The mulch will help keep your plants warm and insulated during the frost. Additionally, you can use grit closer to the plants and roots as this will stop moisture from collecting and prevent the roots from rotting.

If you use mulch such as bark this will break down during colder weather, adding nutrients to your soil as well as improving drainage. When mulching your plants, you may wish to take cuttings as a backup in case plants do not survive the frost.

Protecting Tree Ferns

Tree ferns in sheltered areas may only require packing of straw over the crown and some protection from the rain, however in colder areas tree ferns will require complete wrapping. Use straw and wire to protect the tree fern by wrapping the straw around the base of the trunk. Use wire around the rest of the trunk ensuring you leave enough space to pack with straw. Wrapping the trunk with straw keeps the tree warm and allows enough ventilation for the tree to survive.

Leave the fronds on the crown of the fern as they can offer further protection. Do not worry if they start to turn brown as these can be cut off. If you feel the plant needs more protection you can pack the crown with straw.

Protecting Tropical Plants

Tropical plants such as banana plants must be protected during the cold. To protect the plants, begin by removing all leaves and anything else so that you are left with the trunk. Place wooden stakes around your plant and push them firmly into the ground so that they are able to withstand strong winds. Make sure when placing the wooden stakes in the ground you leave enough room for a layer of straw to be added around the trunk of the plant.

You should then wrap a willow fencing roll around the stakes and secure this with string. You should repeat this process until the height of the trunk has been protected by the willow fencing roll. Any gaps that are left between the fencing roll and the trunk should be packed with straw.

Protecting Succulent Plants

Succulent plants are not able to withstand any frost at all, therefore, require careful protection. You should transfer them into grit to stop the roots from rotting when the plants go into their dormancy stage. Store your succulent plants in a greenhouse, pick the most sheltered area ensuring they are fully protected. You should make sure that you ventilate the plants on a regular basis by opening up the greenhouse to stop the moisture from building up.

Protecting Alpine and Rockery Plants

Alpine and rockery plants can be protected individually. You should protect alpine or rockery plants with a piece of plastic over the top, this will shelter them from rain and wind. Support the plastic with a few bricks to ensure it is secure and will not blow away. To protect a whole bed or rockery you should build a frame and place a large piece of plastic over the top. Leave the sides of the frame uncovered so that the plants are able to get some ventilation.

We hope this article has offered some tips on how to protect your plants. If you have any further questions please give us a gave on 0808 948 0619.