Protect Garden Plants from Late Freezes

Posted by Jamie McIntosh Mar 27, 2009

In the last month, my garden has morphed from a few crocuses to a range of spring-flowering bulbs, pansies, and emergent perennials. Now, with the calendar officially showing that the seasons have changed, the weather forecast predicts a spring snowstorm. What will my plants look like after 6 to 12 inches of snowfall this weekend? At least the temperatures will hover around the freezing mark; very different from last year’s May temps that dipped into the teens, killing a mature clematis and climbing hydrangea in my garden.

If the meteorologists predict a hard freeze in your area, defined by temperatures below 26 degrees for two or more hours, take steps to protect your garden plants:

Place all container plants in a sheltered area, such as an unheated shed or garage.

Cover large planted areas with a floating row cover or sheet. Don’t use plastic tarps, which conducts the cold to the plants.

Create makeshift bell jars out of milk jugs, buckets, or any other vessel large enough to cover the plant. Keep milk jugs steady by piercing the base with garden stakes, and secure each bucket with a large rock. Remove these when temperatures rise above 30 degrees F.