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HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PLANTS OPTIMALLY FOR THE WINTER

Winter is here, your plants notice that too. In the cold season, some plants need special protection. If you have not yet prepared your plants for winter, you should do so as soon as possible.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Why should you protect plants from the winter?
2.How do you winterise plants?
3. Which plants should be protected from frost?
4. When do plants have to be winterised?

WHY SHOULD YOU PROTECT PLANTS FROM THE WINTER?
The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting colder and with the cold season comes frost. Particularly sensitive plants should therefore be protected. Frost and ice are also an enormous challenge for plants.

Plants depend on water and for many plants frost that reaches the inside of the cell means the destruction of the cell, the tissue and, depending on the case, even the destruction of the entire plant. Frost damage or even so-called frost desiccation can occur due to frost.

Frost desiccation is when shoots and leaves of perennials and shrubs dry out and literally die. This happens when the sun continues to shine on the frozen leaves of an evergreen plant, thus stimulating evaporation. However, the roots in the frozen soil cannot transport water and thus die. To prevent this process, it is important to protect the plants from frost.

HOW DO YOU WINTERISE PLANTS?

Basically, there are several ways to protect a plant from frost. To overwinter a plant, you can put it in a greenhouse or in a conservatory, for example. The plants should be overwintered in a bright and moderately warm place so that you can still enjoy them next year. Some plants, however, are not so sensitive and can also be protected from frost outside.

Winter-hardy potted plants, such as those often found on balconies or terraces, can be protected by wrapping them with protective materials such as: bubble wrap. The plant itself should be protected with jute or fleece. Mediterranean or non-hardy plants, on the other hand, are better left in winter quarters.

WHICH PLANTS SHOULD BE PROTECTED FROM FROST?
Every plant has its own needs and requirements, so there are plants that are particularly susceptible to frost and those that are less so. Plants that are particularly sensitive include:

  • Plants in pots and tubs
  • Seedlings
  • Frost-sensitive vegetable plants,
    which are to be harvested for longer.
  • Tropical houseplants
  • Fruit trees in spring, because
    late frost can damage the blossom
  • Roses

WHEN DO PLANTS HAVE TO BE WINTERISED?

Before the first night frost, you should winterise your plants. Since there is no general answer to the question as to the temperatures at which the plant must be protected, you should keep an eye on the temperature and the weather forecast. You can remove the frost protection as soon as the temperatures are permanently above 10 °C again. In regions where it tends to be somewhat colder, it is often worth waiting for the time of the Ice Saints. The Ice Saints take place in the period from 11 May to 15 May, during which time the German Weather Service was able to observe almost regular cold air spells until the middle of the 19th century. Even though this is no longer as frequent as it used to be in the era of climate change, frosts can still occur during this period.

We wish you lots of fun!
Many greetings from Waibstadt
Your T.I.P. Team