Which plants need protecting?
Not all plants are at risk of frost damage. The types that do need some attention over the winter months include:
- Young seedlings and new growth
- Tender perennials
- Half-hardy varieties
- Tropical and sub-tropical plants such as palms and
What does frost damage look like?
Plants that have been affected by winter frosts will often have blackened, distorted or limp growth. Some plants may have scorching and pale brown patches between the leaf veins.
How do I prevent frost damage?
There are a number of ways to keep your plants safe during cold weather. Here are our top things you can do:
- First of all, choose plants that are hardy and well-suited to the growing conditions in your outdoor space.
- Position your plants carefully, taking care to avoid so-called frost pockets (areas of your garden that are more at risk of early and late frosts).
- Grow your slightly tender plants in a sunny spot – for example, against a south-facing wall.
- Cover your plants with a thick layer of horticultural fleece when frost is forecast.
- Mulch around the root area of evergreens, tender shrubs and perennials with a thick layer of organic mulch – such as bark chippings or compost – to stop the ground becoming frozen.
- Dig up tender plants and transfer them to a sheltered position or the greenhouse.
- Container plants can be easily moved, so put them in a sheltered part of the garden in cold weather and give them some extra protection by wrapping their containers in bubble wrap.
- Leave last season’s growth on tender plants, as this gives them valuable frost protection over winter.
