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How to Protect Your Plants From Frost

You Don’t Need a Greenhouse to Protect Your Plants!

Here are some quick, easy, inexpensive steps you can take to protect plants from frost and short term cold snaps during the months of March – May when plants are flushing and vulnerable to damage.  This information is a great guide for plant protection on nights below 32 degrees and will help you maintain the long term health and salability of your valuable plants at your garden center without having to own a greenhouse structure!

 

Temperature Range of 22 to 32 degrees:

Cover plants with a 3oz. “Frost Blanket”.  Frost Blanket is cloth-like material that is perfect for covering plants that have emerging growth.  Plastic will injure this type of growth, Frost Blanket will not. Tall plants should be knocked over prior to covering.  Secure covering every 10 feet with a cinderblock or weighted object

 

Temperature Range below 22 degrees:

First, cover plants with a 3 oz. Frost Blanket. Next, cover the Frost Blanket with a sheet of white plastic.  Any white, greenhouse over-wintering plastic will do. You can also use a 2 mil poly blanket product. Make sure the plastic touches only the Frost Blanket and not the emerging growth on the plants you are protecting to prevent damage. Tall plants should be knocked over prior to covering.  Secure both coverings with a cinderblock or weighted object every 10 feet.

 

Tips:

  • Make sure your Frost Blanket is 3 oz. thickness to get the full 10 degree temperature protection.
  • If possible, cover plants when temperature is at or above 32 degrees. This will help trap any heat underneath the blanket(s)
  • Remove covering when the temperature rises to or just above 32 degrees. If additional cold temperatures are expected, roll up the Frost Covering and plastic next to the plants for easy re-application.
  • Store your Frost Blanket and plastic in a dry, dark area. You should be able to get 2 to 3 years of service from both the Frost Blanket and plastic if stored properly

Where can you buy these materials?

  • A.M. Leonard – 1-800-543-8955 – follow the prompts
  • Griffin Greenhouse Supply – 1-800-888-0054   orders@griffinmail.com