Are you wondering how to protect plants from frost? We’re here to make Cincinnati gardening simple with these essential plant protection tips.

Which Plants Need Frost Protection?

If you’ve planted tender annuals, tropical plants, vegetables, or herbs, they’re highly vulnerable to frost or freezing temperatures, which can cause severe damage or even kill them. Even hardy perennials and nursery plants recently moved outdoors from a greenhouse may have tender new foliage susceptible to frost damage.

What About Established Hardy Plants?

Generally, hardy plants planted last fall are less susceptible to cold. However, unexpected frost can still damage early spring growth or flowering plants, particularly their new buds or blossoms.

How to Protect Plants from Frost and Freeze

1. Move Portable Plants Indoors: If your plants are in pots, relocate them to a garage or shed until the cold weather passes.
2. Cover Non-Portable Plants:
   • Use bed sheets, light drop cloths, blankets, row covers (frost blankets), burlap, or cheesecloth.
   • Drape the covering loosely over the plants, anchoring the edges to the ground to capture warmth from the soil and protect foliage from direct frost.
3. Water the Soil: Thoroughly water the soil (except around succulents) to help retain warmth near the root zone.
4. Support Fragile Plants: Place stakes in the ground around delicate plants to prevent the covering material from touching the foliage directly.

Other Materials for Frost Protection

• Plastic: Avoid using plastic directly on plants. If you choose to use plastic, create a structure like tomato cages covered with plastic bags to ensure it does not touch the plant.
• Household Items: Upside-down cardboard boxes, tubs, or pots work well for covering small plants. Milk jugs with the bottoms cut out and lids removed create mini-greenhouses for small vegetables and annuals.

Tips on Timing and Duration

• When to Cover: Cover plants before nightfall to retain the day’s warmth.
• How Long to Cover: Leave coverings on until temperatures return to the upper 40s or 50s. If a cold spell is expected to last a few days, leaving plants covered for the entire period is safe.

What to Do If Frost Hits Overnight

If an unexpected frost occurs, you can sometimes minimize damage by lightly hosing off tender foliage early before the sun hits the plants.

When in Doubt, Cover It Up! Better Safe Than Sorry!

Cincinnati Gardening Made Simple
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