Five Things to Do to Protect Plants from Frost

With temperatures set to plunge over the next couple of nights–a freeze watch is in effect for some parts of Long Island–gardeners might be looking for a way to keep their plants alive.

Here are a few ideas on how to protect your plants from the freeze:

• Decide which flowers and/or vegetables are the most important ones to “save” during a frost. “Most tender plants will succumb to the freezing temperatures while others will hang on until the temperatures dip into the mid 20’s and we experience a freeze,” master gardener Marilyn Arlund says.

• Cover plants with sheets, light blankets or other coverings. Smaller plants can be covered with pails, tubs, or milk jugs with the bottom cut off. “You can also put old shower curtains, tarps or unfolded newspapers over your plants to protect them,” Arnlund offers. Take covers off in the morning to expose the plants to sun. If you added more mulch, wait a few days to remove it to make sure the frost threat is over.

• Group plants together, adding mulch on top of the soil in plant beds or containers to keep the soil warm. Add stakes in the containers or beds to create a tent so the ground won’t loose too much heat and plants aren’t touching coverings that have a frost buildup.

• Water plants thoroughly, using care to not splash water on leaves or plant base. Water deeply to keep the ground moist.

• Spray an anti-transpirant, available at your local nursery, on the foliage of cold-sensitive plants to seal in moisture. One application can protect up to three months by coating the leaves with an invisible polymer film.

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