Summer is over and we had the first Autumn frost last night 26th September. It was only a light frost and we have some cloud cover for the next few nights so it won’t be as cold tonight. Still I set-too to protect some plants.

Winter Plant Protection

• Tender plants can be protected in a frost free environment. Conservatory plants left out for some summer sunshine should be brought back inside. This is true of Citrus fruit trees and Pelagoniums.
• Insulate your greenhouse with bubblewrap and install a heater for really cold nights. Aim for a minimum temperature of 37°
• Lift tender rhizomes of Cannas and Gladioli corms.
• Prepare hessian or sacking to wrap the centre of tender plants like Tree Ferns and Palms.
• Reduce watering and keep pot plants a bit on the dryer side.
• Mulch or cover the growing crowns of perennials with bracken, dry leaves or compost.

Winter Maintenance Tips

• Put terracotta pots on feet or raise onto bricks so they do not freeze to the earth or paths. Bring in none frost proof pots.
• Clean up paths, greenhouse glass, garden furniture, bird feeders etc.
• Retie or stake trees that may suffer from wind rock.

Causes of Winter Damage

• Prolonged excess damp can be fatal to pot plants. In winter there is little or no drying effect.
• Snow can break the branches of trees and the weight can damage conifers and evergreens.
• Frost will damage soft fleshy growth easier than it will kill ripe twiggy growth. Camillia growers will know what frost can do to blossom.
• Climate changes, prolonged cold snaps, unseasonal spring or summer weather and other changes can create ‘plant stress’ that shortens the plants life.

Other tips – Leave on holiday for hotter climates and return in spring.