Protection in Lothian Region
After working so hard in your garden to keep your plants healthy, you need to start thinking of how to protect them from frost during the cold weather. Now if you’re dreading having to find all the equipment you need to protect your plants, just relax, because help is at hand in the form of The Garden Centre Guide. The Garden Centre Guide gives you the option to find garden centres in Lothian Region and shop online for all your gardening needs, including the best plant protection Lothian Region for your plants.
When should plants be covered?
It is usually best to start covering plants in late autumn, with some form of protective material. The majority of plants do well when they’re covered, but those that are on the delicate side probably won’t live through winter outside, even with protection, so it’s best to move them indoors.
Frost usually happens when temperatures are below 1.1 C. The best time to give your plants covered protection is in late autumn, after those few early freezes. This will give leaves time to fall and allow the plant to move naturally into its winter mode. If you cover your plants too early, they might have to go through too many cycles of freezing and thawing, which can be risky. You might not be able to save your plants if they start turning black or their buds and leaves start to get squishy.
It’s a good idea to remove protective covers if long periods of mild weather is forecast and then put back into place when the weather becomes cold again, to avoid sweating and rotting.
Different types of plant protection Lothian Region
There are numerous methods of protecting your plants during the winter months, including the following:
- Thermal blankets – made from white needle-punched polypropylene material, thermal blankets work by letting rain through to your plants, while at the same time keeping in much-needed warmth
- Protection covers – lightweight and durable, this breathable material gives plants short-term protection. The cover is prevented from blowing off during high winds by means of a drawstring tied to the bottom of the shrub or plant
- Fleece jackets – these are great for providing immediate frost protection for your outside plants. Although moisture and air is allowed to flow through the polypropylene fleece, it still keeps plants frost-free
- Webbing or netting – windbreaks made from webbing or netting is great for protecting weak-stemmed plants from strong winds while allowing air, light and rain to filter through to the plants
- Cloches – the strongest cloches are made from Plexiglas or corrugated plastic. You can bend them into an arch shape over the plants and hold it down with metal stakes. Cloches are best for use as a covering for rows of plants or small clusters of low-growing plants
- Tepees – made from canes of 5 feet or more in length and covered with burlap or some other form of loosely woven material, tepees provide effective protection for single plants. If you feel that more protection is needed, you can wrap straw around the plant before tying the material into place
The Garden Centre Guide is where you’ll find a wide variety of the best plant protection for your plants, including different mulches, which are yet other simple, yet effective plant protection methods, especially for hardy perennials.
