With the mild weather we have been having, now is a perfect time to go outdoors and pre-plan frost protection in your garden, before the winter covers the garden in a frozen blanket. Listed below are some tips for preventative measures against frost damage.
Pots and Containers
Where possible lift pots containing tender plants into the glass house or shed, alternatively group pots together on the patio, or under the eaves of the house. Pots grouped together can be covered with a layer of mulch or with a protection fleece or hessian sack. Those that can’t be lifted should be placed on pot feet to prevent water logging, insulate them with a layer of hessian sack or bubble wrap to prevent them from freezing and cracking.
Shrubs, Perennials, Specimens & Roses
Mulching is one of the easiest methods of frost protection, use loosely piled leaves, bark, pine needles or straw to create a layer of 2 of 3 inches depth around the plant. Keep mulch layer at least 2 inches from the main stem to prevent rotting. Shrubs will benefit from mulching as it helps to hold in both moisture and heat aiding in keeping the soil frost free. Newly planted shrubs can lift slightly in frosty conditions especially with freeze-thaw action, remember to check them and re-firm them into the soil where necessary.
Not all perennials will benefit from a thick layer of mulch over them as it may cause their crown to rot as an alternative a mulch cover can made with a 2 sheets of chicken wire, with mulch material in between. Frames can be raised off the ground by using timber pegs or bricks to aid air circulation in the morning sun.
Tender plants growing in an open position can be covered with a protective fleece, it is best to build a frame around the plant using timber pegs and then wrap the fleece around these pegs to allow for both air circulation and prevent the plant becoming crushed. Tie Cordyline and Palm leaves in a bunch together to protect their crown. Tree ferns need their trunks insulated by wrapping them in layers of fleece or hessian stuffed with straw, their crowns also need to be wrapped in protective fleece.
Once roses have experienced a couple of frosty nights, they can benefit from having a layer of soil mounded up over their crowns to keep them dormant, alternatively compost can be used avoid any with added fertiliser to prevent an early growth spurt.
Cold Frames are ideal for over wintering tender plants, for a quick frame solution a sheet of glass and lengths of timber can be used to provide protection over the plant.
Damaged Plants
Frost damage doesn’t necessarily mean the death of the plant, many plants will recover in time. Damaged growth can be cut back to a healthy bud in spring, feeding plants with fertiliser will encourage growth.
See you soon at Powerscourt Garden Pavilion!
Claire Hayes, Garden Pavilion Manager
Pots and Containers
Where possible lift pots containing tender plants into the glass house or shed, alternatively group pots together on the patio, or under the eaves of the house. Pots grouped together can be covered with a layer of mulch or with a protection fleece or hessian sack. Those that can’t be lifted should be placed on pot feet to prevent water logging, insulate them with a layer of hessian sack or bubble wrap to prevent them from freezing and cracking.
Shrubs, Perennials, Specimens & Roses
Mulching is one of the easiest methods of frost protection, use loosely piled leaves, bark, pine needles or straw to create a layer of 2 of 3 inches depth around the plant. Keep mulch layer at least 2 inches from the main stem to prevent rotting. Shrubs will benefit from mulching as it helps to hold in both moisture and heat aiding in keeping the soil frost free. Newly planted shrubs can lift slightly in frosty conditions especially with freeze-thaw action, remember to check them and re-firm them into the soil where necessary.
Not all perennials will benefit from a thick layer of mulch over them as it may cause their crown to rot as an alternative a mulch cover can made with a 2 sheets of chicken wire, with mulch material in between. Frames can be raised off the ground by using timber pegs or bricks to aid air circulation in the morning sun.
Tender plants growing in an open position can be covered with a protective fleece, it is best to build a frame around the plant using timber pegs and then wrap the fleece around these pegs to allow for both air circulation and prevent the plant becoming crushed. Tie Cordyline and Palm leaves in a bunch together to protect their crown. Tree ferns need their trunks insulated by wrapping them in layers of fleece or hessian stuffed with straw, their crowns also need to be wrapped in protective fleece.
Once roses have experienced a couple of frosty nights, they can benefit from having a layer of soil mounded up over their crowns to keep them dormant, alternatively compost can be used avoid any with added fertiliser to prevent an early growth spurt.
Cold Frames are ideal for over wintering tender plants, for a quick frame solution a sheet of glass and lengths of timber can be used to provide protection over the plant.
Damaged Plants
Frost damage doesn’t necessarily mean the death of the plant, many plants will recover in time. Damaged growth can be cut back to a healthy bud in spring, feeding plants with fertiliser will encourage growth.
See you soon at Powerscourt Garden Pavilion!
Claire Hayes, Garden Pavilion Manager 
