How to Protect Your Container Plants From the First Frost, by Garden Thrive on YouTube. 17 min 19 s.
- Video length
- 17 min 19 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Check the forecast each evening. When frost is predicted, plan to act during the day while temperatures are still above freezing.
Move pots to a sheltered spot against a house wall, under an overhang or into a shed or garage if you have space.
Raise each pot off cold paving or soil by standing it on wooden blocks or pot feet so the base is not touching the ground.
Wrap the outside of the pot with bubble wrap, burlap or an old blanket. Tie it with twine so it stays put, but leave the drainage holes clear.
Water the plants well the day before frost. Damp soil holds warmth better than dry soil, but do not leave pots sitting in water.
Drape frost fleece over the plants at dusk so it reaches the ground. Hold it down with clips, stones or pegs so wind cannot lift it.
Remove the cover in the morning once the frost has melted, so the plants get light and air during the day.
Group smaller pots together in a cluster. The shared warmth helps, and a single cover can protect several pots at once.
Tips and common mistakes
Never wrap the pot so tightly that water cannot drain out, or the roots may rot.
Do not cover plants with plastic sheeting. It traps moisture and can damage leaves worse than frost.
Tender plants like basil and citrus need to come indoors, not just under a cover.
Water in the morning rather than at night so leaves have time to dry before temperatures drop.
Questions
What temperature should I start protecting my plants?
Start when the forecast shows overnight lows near 0°C or 32°F. Tender plants can be damaged even before a hard freeze, so act a day early.
Can I leave the frost cover on during the day?
Take it off in the morning once the frost has gone. Plants need light and airflow, and leaving covers on too long can cause mould.
Will bubble wrap alone keep my potted plant alive?
It protects the roots in the pot but not the leaves. Use it together with a fleece cover over the top for the best chance.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
