Winter warmers - protecting your plants from frost
Winter is here, and the frosty nights are now upon us, which can be bad news for the plants in your garden. Frost is the natural enemy of the gardener because it causes the water inside plant cells to freeze - damaging growth and killing your tender plants.
Theres nothing worse than being caught out by frost, and coming down in the morning to a garden full of blackened, collapsed plants that arent capable of standing up to the elements.
Thats why weve written this handy guide, designed to provide you with an overview of the products you can use to protect your outdoor plants during the coldest months of the year.
Many tender plants simply wont survive a UK winter outside, and the safest and best solution is to move them into a well-insulated, heated greenhouse. In addition to being effectively protected from the cold, you can even benefit from year round growth with the right greenhouse heater! Check out our handy guide to choosing a greenhouse heater for further information.
If you dont already have one, a greenhouse is one of the best garden investments you can make “ opening up a whole new world of growing and massively expanding the range of plants you can keep.
We stock a range of high quality greenhouses from trusted brands, in a range of shapes, styles and sizes to suit every requirement and budget. For added peace of mind, all our greenhouses are backed up by a minimum 10 year warranty.
Cold frames are a really useful addition to any garden for growing and hardening plants off all year round, and they can also be used for the overwintering of your tender plants.
Whilst a cold frame wont offer the same level of protection as a heated greenhouse, and you cant expect your plants to continue growing lushly during winter, it will offer decent protection from cold and frost damage.
Usually, tender plants kept in a cold frame over winter will enter a dormant state - ready to start growing again in spring.
At keengardener.co.uk, weve got a variety of cold frames of different sizes and shapes to suit every garden.
Planting tunnels are a great way of extending your growing season, and will also provide reasonable protection from cold and frost, making them perfect for growing winter veg and salads in.
In addition to providing good individual plant protection from cold and frost, cloches will also prevent damage from insects and other garden pests, making them a useful addition to your collection of garden equipment.
Outdoor potted plants also need protection during the cold winter nights, and wrapping them in garden fleece, plant jackets and pot covers will help ensure that you arent caught out by severe frosts or extended cold spells.
We stock a selection of high-quality insulating fleeces, plant jackets and pot covers designed to protect the foliage and roots of your potted plants from cold damage during the winter months.
Mulch
Even evergreen plants, trees and shrubs can be damaged by extended cold spells, so protect them by putting a thick layer of mulch around the bases of the trees, bushes and plants, to prevent the soil from freezing.
This will help to ensure that the plants are able to take in moisture during extended periods of cold, frosty weather “ stopping them from becoming dehydrated, dry and brittle.
For further information on any of our winter products, get in touch today on 01789 763 336.