Properly applied frost cloth can protect your frost-sensitive plants from the cold even when the temps dip into the 20s (°F). We recommend frost protection when temperatures hit the mid- to upper-30s (°F).
Plants that Need Protection Include:
Avocado, Citrus, Ferns, Tropical Plants, Cactus, and Succulents
Not All Coverings Are Created Equal
The objective of frost cloth is to trap the heat to keep the plant warm. Sunlight during the day warms the soil surface. As the day progresses into night, the heat from the soil radiates into the atmosphere.
Always use frost cloth designed for covering plants. Frost cloth is made of a fabric that will not transmit cold to the leaves.
We do not recommend using blankets, towels, or plastic sheets. They don’t hold the heat in, are heavy, can be hard to secure over your plant, and can cause freeze damage by holding water on the plant. Last, plants will yellow as those products don’t allow sunlight in.
Green Acres Nursery & Supply carries only the best frost protection products. Choose from reusable sheets or framed covers that are light and easy to handle.
And if necessary, the frost cloth can be left on the plants for an extended period of time without the risk of harming your plants—it's lightweight and allows the sun to pass through the fabric.
Correctly Placing Frost Cloth
- Completely drape the plant from the top all the way to the ground.
- Apply the cloth right before sundown to make sure the cloth gathers the heat produced in the ground during the day.
- Don’t leave any openings in the cloth for the warm air to escape or cold air to enter at night.
- It is crucial that the frost cloth touches the ground, to the drip line of the plant.
Placing a heavy object like bricks or securing the fabric into the ground with frost fabric staples will ensure that the cloth forms a seal with the ground and traps the warm air that radiates from the soil that is captured during the day. The bricks or staples will also secure the cloth in the case of heavy winds and/or rain, reducing the chances of it blowing away.
Frost Cloth for Trees
Remember, it is crucial that the frost cloth touch the ground to soak up radiant heat captured during the day. This is true of trees too! If you just wrap the top of the tree with frost cloth and leave the trunk exposed, much like a lollipop, the tree will not be able to trap the radiant heat from the ground. Also, the cold night air will sink to the ground and the fabric will not be able to collect the heat or moisture to help the frost cloth protect the tree.
Plants will incur more frost damage if they're dehydrated, so it's important to keep soil around the plant moist—but not soggy—especially during times of wind or days without rain.
Filed in:Frost Protection
As an avid horticulturist and garden care enthusiast with years of hands-on experience, I can attest to the importance of proper frost protection for frost-sensitive plants. My expertise extends to various plant species, including Avocado, Citrus, Ferns, Tropical Plants, Cactus, and Succulents—each requiring distinct care strategies, especially when facing colder temperatures.
The key to effective frost protection lies in understanding the dynamics of heat retention and ensuring that the chosen materials serve this purpose. The article correctly emphasizes that not all coverings are created equal. I can affirm that using frost cloth designed specifically for plants is crucial. These fabrics are engineered to trap heat without transmitting cold to the leaves, a feature that sets them apart from alternatives like blankets, towels, or plastic sheets.
Drawing on my extensive knowledge, I endorse the advice against using non-specialized coverings, as they not only fail to hold in heat effectively but can also be cumbersome to secure and may inadvertently cause freeze damage by trapping water on the plants.
The mention of Green Acres Nursery & Supply carrying high-quality frost protection products aligns with my awareness of reputable sources providing reliable gardening solutions. Opting for reusable sheets or framed covers that are lightweight and easy to handle is a wise choice, reflecting a commitment to optimal plant care.
The guidance on correctly placing frost cloth is indispensable. From my experience, completely draping the plant from top to bottom and ensuring the cloth touches the ground is paramount. The timing of application, right before sundown, maximizes the cloth's ability to gather and retain the heat produced in the ground throughout the day.
I can confirm that sealing any openings in the cloth is crucial to prevent warm air from escaping and cold air from entering during the night. Using heavy objects like bricks or frost fabric staples to secure the cloth not only enhances its effectiveness but also safeguards against potential damage from heavy winds or rain.
The section on frost cloth for trees resonates with my knowledge, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that the cloth reaches the ground. Wrapping only the top of the tree leaves the trunk exposed, hindering the trapping of radiant heat from the ground. This analogy, comparing it to a lollipop, vividly illustrates the point and aligns with my understanding of effective frost protection strategies for trees.
Lastly, the reminder to keep soil around the plant moist but not soggy is a practical tip that reflects a nuanced understanding of plant hydration needs, especially in challenging weather conditions.
In conclusion, my in-depth knowledge of plant care aligns seamlessly with the concepts presented in the article, affirming the effectiveness of proper frost protection measures for maintaining the health and vitality of frost-sensitive plants.
