How to protect your plants in spring
The lighter mornings and sunnier days of spring might make us think warmer weather is here to stay – but unexpected cold spells and frost can ruin your plants and limit their growth. Be prepared for any surprise weather by knowing how to protect your plants and having all the right gear on standby.
Young fruit, vegetable and bedding plants are usually planted once all risk of frost has passed, but an unforeseen spell of bad weather can reverse all your hard work. It’s not uncommon to see cold wind, rain, and even snow in spring, especially if you live further up north in the UK. So, it’s important to plan the measures you can have in place to protect your precious plants.
The good news is there’s lots you can do to protect young plants in spring! Having plant protection gear on-hand is useful in preparing for chilly temperatures, so you don't need to panic if the weather takes a turn.
Green Team’s Top Tip: The cold can still damage your plants even in a greenhouse or grow house. Plants need a nighttime temperature of at least 10 degrees Celsius to thrive, so make sure their space is warm enough, or you're adding additional protection with fleece or cloche.
Protect plants with cloche and fleece
Cloche and horticultural fleece are the most efficient ways of protecting your plants. They provide instant protection to young plants, both inside a greenhouse or cold house and outside in your beds, borders, pots and veg patches.
Cloche is quick and easy to put up, and sturdier plastic cloches can also protect plants from the wind if secured with wire or hoops. Horticultural fleece and polytunnels are good for protecting long rows of bedding, vegetables and fruit.
Once you’ve assembled your cloche, keep any ventilation holes open during the day and close them at night. This prevents your plants from getting too warm in the daytime and reduces the build-up of condensation, which can cause your plants to rot.
Green Team’s Top Tip: You can use plastic bottles and old plastic plant pots over individual plants as protection too. Make sure there are holes to prevent condensation and increase ventilation.
Green Team’s Top Tip: You can use plastic bottles and old plastic plant pots over individual plants as protection too. Make sure there are holes to prevent condensation and increase ventilation.
Protect plants from the cold in a greenhouse
Greenhouses, grow houses and cold frames are great for growing plants outdoors and protecting them from wind and frost. Although, it’s worth noting that freezing temperatures can still affect your plants even if they’re in unheated greenhouses or grow houses. You might want to consider other ways to provide extra protection to plants inside greenhouses, especially with tender seedlings and young plants. A thermometer in your greenhouse helps you see when temperatures drop enough that you’ll need additional protection.
Insulating your greenhouse properly is the best way to help it stay warm. Replace any broken windowpanes and doors and seal cracks. You can also add a layer of bubble wrap to windows and walls too for extra insulation.
Another way to warm up your greenhouse is with an electric heater. It’s a quick and easy way to protect your plants during abnormal cold weather. To save costs and energy, only use an electric heater when it’s necessary. Make sure to be wary and safe when installing, connecting and using electricity outdoors and in your greenhouse.
We’ve got lots more gardening hints and tips in-store and online to help you have a successful spring! Visit us to discover our full range of top-quality planting and gardening products. If you have any questions, simply speak to a member of our friendly Green Team.