Protect Your Tender Plants from Frost December 29th, 2015

Here are some ways to help your frost tender plants weather the seasonal cold:

• If there’s room indoors, bring in small potted porch or patio plants choosing an area that provides bright light.
• Avoid pruning tender plants within 6 weeks of the average first hard frost date. Pruning sometimes will stimulate new budding which may not be hardy enough to handle the drop in temperature.
• Keeping outdoor container plants well watered in between rain storms is a must. The drop in temperature draws moisture from plants so the soil must have sufficient moisture to keep the plants from desiccating.
• Decorate cold sensitive plants with outdoor Christmas tree lights. The heat radiated moderates the cold air temperatures. You can maximize this heat source by draping or tenting your plants with translucent “plant blanket” material to create a greenhouse effect. The plant blanket alone will give you 2 to 3 degrees of protection and may be left on all winter.
• Sink potted plants into soil and cover with mulch- bark, leaves, straw etc.
• Gather all your pots together, place them against the North or east facing side of your home and cover them a good foot deep in shredded (NOT ‘whole’!) leaves after the trees give up their previous “Fall Gold”. ( Shredded paper also works)
• Wrap individual or groups of potted plants with bubble wrap for insulation.( Another option is wrapping a group of plants with clear 6 mil plastic and then pour/place Styrofoam peanuts between the plants and pour over top of soil)
• Create a mini greenhouse– Move containers together – create a tent using clear plastic (preferably in a location that gets a certain amount of sun). Ensure no plastic touches plant material. Ensure water tray to create moisture.
• Spray the leaves of frost tenders like: citrus, tropical hibiscus, philodendron, bougainvillea, with CLOUD COVER® monthly throughout the winter. This product coats the leaves and stems providing 2 to 3 degrees of protection.
• Go down to your local hardware store and pick up pipe insulation. It’s not only great to keep water pipes from freezing but works wonders when used to protect the trunks of small trees. This pre-split foam tubing is so easy to use.
• Soil heating cables traditionally used as a plant propagation aid are helpful too when nestled in the soil near the plant stem.
• If some plant damage occurs do not trim damage off until all chances of frost have passed. The damaged leaves will protect the rest of the plant and trimming it will expose other part to frost damage.
• Start indoor version of each plants. To start your own indoor versions, snip off a 6-inch section of the terminal growth from the plant and put them in a rooting material and in a warm bright location with ample moisture. This way if plant dies in the winter you have a replacement without having to purchase a new plant.