How to Protect Your Garden from Winter Frosts

Winter frosts can be tough on gardens, but with a few simple steps you can protect your plants from damage. Frost forms when temperatures drop to freezing and moisture in the air settles and freezes on leaves and stems. This can injure plant cells, cause leaves to wilt or blacken, and in some cases kill tender plants altogether. Plants are especially vulnerable if they’re young, recently transplanted, or producing new growth after a warm spell, so advance preparation is key.

To shield your garden, cover plants during cold nights using frost cloth, sheets, or burlap, making sure the material reaches the ground so it can trap warmth rising from the soil. Watering the day before a frost helps because moist soil retains heat better than dry soil. Adding mulch provides insulation around roots, and moving potted plants indoors or grouping them together can keep them warmer. Avoid pruning just before or during frost season since new growth is more easily damaged. Once temperatures rise the next morning, uncover your plants to prevent them from overheating. With these basic habits, your garden can make it through winter frosts with minimal stress.