Protect Plants from Cold Damage

During the winter months it is necessary to offer protection to many of our landscape plants. Winter protection does not mean to keep plants warm, as this is almost impossible, but to provide protection from wind, snow and ice, and the alternate freezing and thawing of the soil.

To protect your evergreen plants, try to reduce water loss. Plants transpire, losing water through their leaves. While deciduous plants stop losing water through their leaves in winter, evergreens continue to lose water during the winter months.

Most of us are more conscious of watering our trees and shrubs during the summer months. However, if you have evergreen trees and shrubs, try to remember to water them occasionally even when temperatures are cold.

High winds and a warm sun on cold days result in higher rates of transpiration. Protection can be offered by planting susceptible plants in a sheltered location and providing additional water during dry periods, or just prior to a hard freeze.

An additional layer of mulch is usually recommended during the winter months after the first freeze. Mulch will reduce water loss from the soil, thus aiding in transpiration, and also reduce "heaving" of the soil as it freezes and thaws.

Here are a few suggestions to help protect your plants from cold damage.
Plant only varieties that are hardy to your area.

Locate less hardy varieties in the highest part of the yard. Cold air typically settles to the lowest part of the yard.

Protect plants from cold wind. A fence or tall evergreen hedge of trees or shrubs gives good protection to your more tender plants.

Try to shade plants from direct winter sun, especially early morning sun. Plants that freeze slowly and thaw slowly will be damaged least.

Stop feeding plants with quickly available nitrogen fertilizers. Allow them to harden off before the onset of extremely cold weather.

If the threat of a heavy frost looms, cover tender varieties with a bed sheet or plastic over night. However, always remember to remove any covering the next morning.

Billy Skaggs Agricultural Agent Hall County Extension Coordinator 734 East Crescent Drive Gainesville, GA 30501 Phone:(770)531-6988 Fax: (770)531-3994 Email: [email protected]