How to Protect Garden Plants in Winter

When temperatures begin to drop, gardeners face one of the biggest challenges of the year - protecting plants from frost. Sudden drops in temperature can cause serious damage to delicate plants, undoing months of hard work in a single night. However, with the right materials and a little preparation, you can easily freeze protect your plants and keep your garden thriving through winter.

Whether you’re growing vegetables, caring for tender shrubs, or simply want to preserve potted plants through the cold months, proper winter protection for plants is essential. The good news is that with a little preparation, and the right materials, you can keep your garden thriving all winter long.

In this guide from Tarpaflex, we cover the best ways to shield your plants from frost, explore alternatives to the garden fleece, and answer some common questions about winter protection for plants.

Why is Frost Dangerous for Plants?

Frost forms when temperatures drop below freezing and moisture in the air condenses as ice on leaves, stems, and soil surfaces, causing several issues for your once thriving garden. This often includes cell damage, where ice crystals puncture plant cells and lead to blackened or mushy leaves, restricted water flow preventing your plants from absorbing water, interrupted growth for new shoots and buds, and even permanent plant loss.

Some species, like evergreens or winter-hardy vegetables, are built to withstand freezing temperatures, but many ornamental plants like young trees or potted plants will require additional care. In this instance, some of your best defence against frost damage comes in the form of hessian, tarpaulins, and netting - which we explain below.

Using Hessian for Plant Protection

Hessian is one of the best materials for protecting plants from frost, especially if your garden requires a natural, sustainable option.

Why Hessian Works So Well

Breathable Insulation Unlike plastic, hessian allows air circulation while still trapping warmth, reducing the risk of condensation and mould.	Gentle on Plants It won’t stick to leaves in freezing conditions, unlike thin plastic sheeting that can cling and cause further damage.	Eco-Friendly Hessian is biodegradable and reusable, making it a greener alternative to synthetic fleece or plastic covers.

How to Use Hessian in the Garden

• Wrap shrubs and young trees: Use hessian like a frost jacket by loosely wrapping and securing around trunks, stems, and branches. This prevents frost from biting into the bark and protects young buds.
  
  
• Protect soil beds and bulbs: Laying sheets of hessian across soil acts like a thermal blanket. It traps ground heat, preventing bulbs from being damaged before they sprout in spring.
  
  
• Frost blankets for vegetables: Roll out hessian over raised beds or allotment rows during cold nights. You can pin it down with rope or pegs to stop it blowing away.

Unlike single-use fleece, hessian can be stored and reused every winter, making it a cost-effective choice for regular gardeners. Get your hessian rolls today.

Tarpaulins for Larger Plants and Garden Protection

When it comes to bigger areas or sudden cold snaps, tarpaulins are a must-have for both home gardeners and allotment growers.

Why Use Tarpaulins to Protect Plants in Winter?

Waterproof barrier Tarps keep out rain, snow, and frost, creating a dry environment underneath.	Durability High GSM tarpaulins are designed to withstand winter winds and repeated use.	Multi-purpose As well as frost protection, tarps can cover sheds, compost heaps, log piles, or greenhouses.

How to Cover Plants for Frost with a Tarpaulin

• Raised beds and vegetable plots: Use stakes or frames to support the tarp above your plants, creating a mini shelter, which prevents the tarp from touching delicate foliage.
  
  
• Protecting pots and containers: Frost often cracks terracotta or ceramic pots. By wrapping or covering them with a tarpaulin, you prevent water from soaking into the material and freezing.
  
  
• Quick frost cover: Tarpaulins are invaluable for emergency protection. If a sudden frost is forecast, drape a lightweight tarp over your plants before nightfall and secure it with rope or pegs.
  
  

Always lift or remove tarps during the day so plants get light and fresh air to prevent overheating and condensation build-up. Discover our range of tarpaulins.

Netting for Wind and Snow Protection

While frost itself is harmful, cold winds can dry out plants and snow can weigh down branches, snapping them. Using netting can prevent both problems.

Benefits of Garden Netting in Winter

Acts as a windbreak Stretch netting around allotments, young hedges, or delicate shrubs to reduce the impact of icy gusts.

Snow management Netting catches falling snow before it piles up directly on plants, reducing the risk of branches snapping under the weight.

Support structure Netting can also help hold coverings like hessian or tarpaulins in place, making them more resistant to storms.

How to Use Netting in the Garden

• Build simple frames or hoops over vegetable beds and secure netting across the top.
  
  
• Wrap netting around vulnerable areas to reduce exposure.
  
  
• Use netting on scaffolding or garden structures to act as a barrier against flying debris in storms.
  
  

For allotment growers, netting also has the bonus of keeping birds and pests away during the leaner months.

Other Essential Winter Plant Protection Methods

Covers are vital, but there are other methods every gardener should use to winterise an outdoor garden.

Mulching

Mulching involves spreading organic material, like bark, compost, or straw, around the base of plants. This acts like insulation for roots, locking in warmth and moisture. It’s particularly useful for perennials, roses, and vegetable crops.

Relocating Pots

Containers are more vulnerable to frost because they have less soil to insulate roots. Move pots closer to your house walls, which radiate warmth, or into a shed or greenhouse.

Raising Pots Off the Ground

Standing pots on bricks, pot feet, or even pieces of wood prevents direct contact with frozen ground. This stops roots from getting too cold and avoids waterlogging.

Securing Covers with Rope

Winter storms can easily lift lightweight covers. Always secure hessian, tarpaulins, or netting with rope to keep everything in place. Rope can also be used to tie branches together, preventing them from snapping under snow.

Pro tip: Keep a few emergency tarpaulins and ropes in the shed - they’re invaluable when a sudden cold snap or storm hits.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you protect garden plants in winter?

The best method is to cover vulnerable plants with hessian or tarpaulins to shield them from frost. Add mulch around roots, use netting as a windbreak, and move pots to sheltered areas for extra protection.

What to use instead of garden fleece?

Instead of synthetic fleece, use hessian fabric. It’s breathable, eco-friendly, and reusable. For larger or heavier protection, tarpaulins are another excellent choice, especially during snow or heavy frost.

How do you winterise an outdoor garden?

To winterise your garden:

1. Wrap shrubs and trees in hessian.
   
   
2. Cover vegetable beds with tarpaulins.
   
   
3. Mulch around roots and bulbs.
   
   
4. Use netting to guard against wind and snow.
   
   
5. Secure everything with rope to withstand winter storms.