It is frustrating to nurture plants all year round only to have them destroyed by frost. However, the arrival of frost shouldn’t throw you into a panic as there are measures to protect them from frostbite. This can easily be done using readily available materials so you don’t have to spend money while you cushion your garden from the effects of frost. Before you can employ any protection techniques, you need to know exactly what frost does to plants. The soil upon which the plant is dependent for growth, is frozen making it impossible for water to reach the roots. Plant cells are also ruptured by the freezing cold resulting in a slow death. However, plants are affected differently so you should take time to find out which plants are weak and prone to weather damage.
Having understood the effect of frost, you can start preparing for its arrival by staying alert for weather warnings. This way you can water your plants before frost strikes to help it get enough moisture. Watering needs to be done lightly if you want to avoid the formation of frost.
Wet soil encourages absorption of crucial nutrients by the roots. Covering plants is a simple way to protect them and if done right, your garden will emerge bright and healthy after the danger is gone. Use burlap sacks, sheets or blankets to cover the plants. This helps to lock in the moisture by preventing entry of cold air in the garden. It should be done with extra caution because; heavy covers like blankets can crush plants if draped over without a support. Remember to use stones or wood to block spaces near the ground. You should always remove the covering at daybreak lest all your plants die of suffocation. The way you prepare the garden could also make the difference for your plants at the onset of frost season.
The secret to healthy plants after an episode of frost is the levels of humidity. The lack of moisture in the air during cold days leads to slow death of plants. This is why experts advocate for measures to protect plants form such damage. Moisture is easily preserved through mulching. This is an ancient agricultural practice that employed the use of leaves, bark, straw and grass placed on the soil to prevent moisture form leaving the soil. If there are plants that can be moved, relocate them to a safer spot from the direct touch of frost. Place potted plants in a warm place away from the decapitating cold. Plants with soft leaves are more prone to frost so the gardener should give them first priority and take extra care when handling them. Sturdier plants don’t suffer much but they should not be ignored because excess exposure will leave them vulnerable. Don’t worry if some plants appear dormant when it’s cold because it is only an adaptation method to avoid damage.
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