Us gardeners that enjoy growing tender tropical and exotic plants often see colder winter weather as a real problem. It doesn’t need to be, with careful plant selection and putting a little time into protecting your tender plants your garden should be able to sail through winter. Protecting tender plants from cold weather can have several benefits:
- Cold protection can help to extend the growing season for plants that would otherwise be damaged or killed by frost.
- Insulating plants with horticultural fleece or frost blankets can help to keep the ground around them warmer, which can aid in root growth and overall plant health.
- Covering plants can also protect them from wind damage, which can dry out leaves and cause broken branches.
- A protective barrier can help to protect young and vulnerable plants from frost damage, which can help them to establish and grow stronger.
- Covering plants can also protect them from pests and disease that thrive in cold weather.
- Protecting tender plants from cold weather can help to increase the yield and quality exotic of fruits and vegetables.
- It can also be a way to protect rare or sensitive plants from damage.
How do you protect your plants from cold?
So what are some of the best ways to protect your tender tropical and exotic plants from the harsh cold conditions of winter? There are a few ways to protect tender plants from cold weather in the UK:
- Covering plants with horticultural fleece or frost blankets will help to insulate them from the cold.
- Move potted plants indoors or into a greenhouse if possible.
- Mulch around the base of plants to help keep the ground around them warmer.
- Water the soil around the plants in the evening, as the water will help to release heat as it evaporates.
- Create a protective barrier around the plants with stakes and plastic sheeting to help block the wind.
- Place a cloche or plastic bottle over young plants to create a mini-greenhouse effect
It’s also important to remember to check on your plants regularly and take action if they show signs of damage from the cold.
