How To: Protect plants from frost

Frost is in the air. If you have tender plants like basil, pepper or impatients when that cold weather comes it will zap those plants. Often, if you can get through those first couple frosts, an Indian summer, that can last weeks and weeks, will follow. If you can protect your plants during this time you can have blooms for much longer. There are several ways to protect your plants. You can use a traditional device like a glass cloche. The nice thing about them is they are decorative and will protect plants from frost. Unfortunately it's not well ventilated so on a hot sunny day it can fry your plants. A better idea is to utilize newer materials. One is a spun bound polyethylene row cover fabric and this material lets air, light and water in but it protects down to 27 degrees fahrenheit. You just need to drape it over the plant and pot and pull the draw string tight making it snug. This will protect plants when it gets chilly. Now you do need to take it off in the morning, you can't leave it on longer than 24 hours. Another use for this cover would be when you have salt buildup along a road in the winter on evergreens. By placing this cover over the evergreens it will keep salt away and protect the foliage from burning. By using these new ideas and new devices you can protect your plants into the fall and enjoy your flowers much longer.