Frost Damage
Winter's Deadly Reaper
If you understand the way that hot and cold air move, you can do a lot to minimize frost damage that cold night air causes. Areas that are high up are less affected by cold air.
Cold air accumulates in the lower areas of a garden for the reason that it is denser than warm air. It rolls along the ground and collects in low spots. One of the first ways to reduce the danger of frost damage is to plant in the higher parts of your garden or yard, and not in low pockets that collect this dense cold air. It’s inadvisable to make a barrier by placing plants in a row across the lowest part in the garden, as the cold air will collect there and block it up.
Solar Bells are based on time-tested glass garden cloches, but they're made of clear plastic instead of glass. That means they're portable, stackable, and much more affordable. And they're sturdy enough to protect against wind and pests as well as cold. Vented tops prevent overheating Set of 3 cloches Anchor your Solar Bells down with our Earth Staples, sold separately Set of 3 Each measures 10" H x 13" diameter.
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To maintain plants alive, place them under eaves and trees, as ice and frost doesn’t form there as badly, if at all. Another good position is against a north-facing masonry wall, which will give off heat at night, minimizing frost damage to your plants.
It is not the freezing of the plant cells during the night that is the cause for the frost damage; it’s the fast thawing in the morning that burns the plant when they warm up.
One way to prevent excessive frost damage to plants is to put an automatic watering system on very early in the morning, possibly before dawn. Underground lawn sprinklers are effective, but can be a hassle if you have to trim around them by hand. But if place some circular sprinkler mulch mats around them it will keep grass and weed from growing over the pop-up sprinkler heads.
There are a number of products that are available to lessen the effect of winter frost damage that causes irreparable harm to your plants. One of these is ‘Argonet’, which is very fine netting that lets the air through but is claimed to reduce the amount of frost damage to your plants. It is a plastic sleeve that can be pulled down over your plants and tied at the top.
There is also a form of broad sheeting that is suitable for putting over gardens or vegetables susceptible to frost damage. It is also possible to make your own wire frame and put a plastic bag over it to protect the plant from frost damage. It provides frost and cold protection down to minus 5 degrees Celsius or 24 degrees F. The thick, 1.25 oz fabric is ideal for season extending into the early spring and late fall, or for over-wintering salad greens, strawberries, and perennials. Ideal for use both in the spring and the fall. Excellent windbreak for young spring plants and lasts for several years with 60 percent light transmission. Available in three sizes from Gardener's Supply Company. (Please click on image at left)
In Australia, great emphasis is placed on using mulch to prevent loss of moisture from the soil. However, in areas subject to frost damage, especially in the winter months, it is desirable to clear the soil of all organic mulch and weeds. This mulch can easily be raked away from around the root base of plants and trees. This will maximise the heat that is absorbed during the day and radiated during the night, as damp soil will take in more heat than dry soil. Of course this advice is only appropriate if you live in those areas where frost damage is likely to destroy your plants or if your garden or backyard doesn't contain plants that can tolerate the winter cold.
