How to Protect Your Plants Before a Freeze! 🥶

Keep an eye out for significant temperature drops below 32°F, as your plants could feel the chill. Here are some general tips to help shield them from the stress and damage caused by freezing conditions: 

• Protect your plants with frost cloth or an alternative. Frost cloth is typically made from lightweight and breathable materials that provide insulation while allowing air, light, and moisture to pass through. Alternative options would be something like a bed sheet or blanket. Make sure to weigh down the cloth so that the wind does not blow the material away. Strong winds accelerate heat loss from leaves, stems, and soil, making plants freeze much faster. This “wind chill” effect can also dry out plant tissues by increasing evaporation, especially when the ground is frozen and roots can’t absorb water to compensate. 
• A deep water before a frost HELPS your plants! Moist ground stays warmer than dry ground during freezing temperatures. By watering your plants before a freeze, you are insulating the root structure and mitigating potential damage. If you’ve had rain, then you can sleep soundly knowing that your plant roots are protected from freezing temperatures!
• Mulch is a great insulator. One of the many, many benefits of mulch is its ability to insulate and protect roots. Definitely consider putting a layer of mulch or leaf litter around your sensitive plants.
• Unhook and drain your irrigation systems. If you have an automated irrigation system, your timer should come inside. Frozen water inside the timer might burst and make your system unusable. If you have drip irrigation, do you best to drain the system. This will avoid any pipe bursts due to expanding ice.
• Consider moving potted plants inside or somewhere with wind protection. A temporary move indoors will serve your plants nicely in these extreme temperature drops.