WHAT TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER A FREEZE
Hard freeze coming? Here’s how to protect your plants the RIGHT way! Winter’s chill is on the way, and as gardeners, we know that a hard freeze can do some serious damage to our precious plants. But don’t worry! With a little bit of prep, you can help your garden survive the cold and bounce back come spring. Here’s a simple guide to keep your plants cozy before and after a freeze. ❄️
To protect your garden before an Arctic blast or hard freeze, focus on these three essential steps:
1. Insulate and Protect Plants
Cover Tender Plants: Use frost cloths, horticultural fleece, or plant row covers to protect herbaceous perennials, vegetables, and other frost-sensitive plants from direct exposure to freezing temperatures. Be sure the covers don’t touch the foliage to prevent frost damage, and secure them against wind. You can also use sheets, beach towels or blankets never use plastic because it smothers your plants!! Why cover with frost cloth?
Frost cloth traps radiant heat from the soil, prevents frost from forming directly on leaves, and can raise temps around your plants by 2–8°F often enough to save them.
Pro tip: Put frost cloth on before sunset, and anchor it to the ground so the warmth stays trapped.
2. Mulch the Root Zone
Apply a thick layer (3-6 inches) of mulch around the base of perennial plants, shrubs, and trees to help insulate roots and moderate soil temperatures.
3. Water the Garden Well
Pre-Freeze Hydration: Why water beforehand? Moist soil holds heat longer. Watering early in the day helps roots stay hydrated and protected. Water plants thoroughly in advance of the freeze. Moist soil retains heat better than dry soil, offering an added buffer against sudden temperature drops. Watering in the morning allows the moisture to soak in before temperatures plummet overnight.
4. Bring Tender Plants Inside
What should you bring inside? Tropicals, houseplants, citrus, succulents, any patio ferns, and ANY potted plants that aren’t cold-hardy.
5. Prune and Harvest
Remove Damaged Growth: Prune away dead, damaged, or diseased wood from trees and shrubs to reduce stress and prevent further damage from the freeze. Avoid heavy pruning, which can encourage vulnerable new growth. Harvest all of those veggies and herbs from your garden!
Do you know your frost-free date for your gardening zone? 🌱❄️ It’s so important for planning when to plant! Find your date here and get ready to make this your best gardening season yet. 💚
How to protect your Home during a hard freeze
Protect Your Pipes
Insulate exposed pipes in crawl spaces, garages, attics, and along exterior walls. Cover all outdoor hose bibs with insulated faucet covers and disconnect hoses so water is not trapped and frozen. Hose bib covers are inexpensive and easy to find online, including options from Amazon, Home Depot, and Lowe’s.
Keep Water Moving
On especially cold nights, allow faucets to drip slightly. Moving water is less likely to freeze and can help prevent pipe bursts during prolonged cold spells.
Let Warm Air Reach Your Pipes
Open cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks, especially those located on exterior walls. This allows warm indoor air to circulate around plumbing and helps prevent freezing.
Seal Out Cold Air
Check doors, windows, crawl space vents, and garage areas for drafts. Use weather stripping, door sweeps, or temporary draft blockers to keep cold air from reaching pipes inside walls.
Maintain Heat Inside the Home
Even if you are away, keep your thermostat set no lower than 55 degrees. Consistent heat is one of the best protections against frozen pipes.
Know Your Water Shut Off Valve
Locate your main water shut off valve now so you can act quickly if a pipe bursts. Quick response can significantly reduce water damage.
Prepare for Power Outages
Freezing weather often brings power interruptions. Have flashlights, batteries, blankets, and emergency supplies ready just in case.
Taking these simple steps ahead of time can protect your home, save money, and give you peace of mind during severe winter weather.
How to protect your home and Garden in Winter
Don’t let the cold catch your plants off guard. Here are the essential gardening tools you’ll need to protect them: frost cloths, hose bibb covers, and a good watering system (hydration is key!). Let’s keep your garden safe and thriving all season long.
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