How to Protect Shrubs Against Freezing
Shrubs are usually not damaged by cold itself during a freeze, but by a lack of water or water loss during freezes. Water in plants and the soil is very important, even during winter, as water helps absorb, retain, and radiate heat. Shrubs are especially susceptible to frost damage when the weather is very windy and/or sunny. High winds and intense sun cause increased water loss from shrubs and the soil surrounding their roots during cold conditions. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Wooden stakes or pieces of lumber
- Saw
- Mallet
- Large sheets of black plastic, canvas, burlap, old quilts, or sheets
- Scissors
- Mulch
- Watering can or hose
Instructions
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Tips for frost portection
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Preventing shrubs from freezing begins at the planting stage. When selecting shrubs for your landscape, choose ones that are winter hardy for your region. Evergreen shrubs are extremely sensitive to dry winter soils and winter sun, so plant them in spots protected from prevailing winds and sun.
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To protect shrubs from drying winter winds and sun, create a windbreak. Drive wooden stakes into the ground on opposite sides of the shrubs and attach burlap or canvas to the stakes to loosely surround the sides of the shrub with the fabric. Avoid touching any of the fabric to the shrub's foliage, as this may damage the plant you are trying to protect.
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Water the ground thoroughly several hours before a freeze is expected. Moist ground will absorb more warmth from the sun, keeping the soil warmer and protecting shrub roots. It will also help re-radiate heat captured by the soil at night, helping to keep the foliage warmer.
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Cover the soil surrounding the shrub and its canopy with mulch or bark. This will help prevent the soil from losing too much heat.
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Coverings will provide the most protection from freezing. Build a wooden frame surrounding your shrubs and cover it from ground to above the shrubs with cloth sheets, quilts, or black plastic. Be sure the materials do not come into contact with the shrub foliage, as this will damage your shrubs. If using plastic, remove it partially on warmer winter days to provide ventilation. For extra warmth, place an outdoor light bulb under the cover: just be sure that the light bulb is not too close to the cover material so as to start a fire.
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