The weather has become much colder recently in Ireland. Snow and frost have arrived in many areas of the country and gardeners are wondering - how can I protect my garden from the cold weather? We're here to give you all the advice you need on how to protect your garden from snow and frost.
Effect of freezing weather on plants & wildlife
- While snow acts as an insulator for many garden plants, it can damage the more tender plants. Plants that may be affected include tree ferns, Camellias, Hebes, Pittosporum, and many New Zealand plants which have become popular in Ireland. Damage can be caused as the snow melts and creates sub-zero temperatures.
- The weight of snow on Conifers and hedging plants can create unsightly holes and gaps.
- Garden birds will find this weather very difficult to survive in. Food sources will be scarce for them, so it's important to ensure they're given plenty of extra bird feed.
- The freezing weather causes soil to become frozen, which in turn can damage evergreen and hardy plants. They can die from lack of moisture as they're unable to take in any water through their roots.
Signs of frost damage
- Frost damage can be seen in plants when their colour turns darker and when their growth becomes limp and distorted. This is because frost makes the water in plant cells freeze, which damages the cell wall.
- When it comes to Evergreen plants, they can turn brown in colour with frost damage. The leaves of the more tender plants may turn slightly translucent.
- The morning sun can cause even more problems - when plants face the sun in the morning, they defrost quite fast which in turn ruptures the cell wall.
How to protect your garden
- Summer flowering bulbs and seed potato tubers need to be kept in a frost free location now to ensure no damage occurs to the tubers from severe frosts. Keep them covered in a frost proof garage or attic. Otherwise, you can simply keep them indoors until the weather improves.
- Wrap your tender plants with Garden fleece - simply wrap or cover the plants with three layers of fleece until the snow has melted and the heavy frost subsides.
- Branches, shrubs and hedges can become disfigured by the weight of heavy snow. Shake the excess snow off, or simply brush off the heavy snow deposits.
- Remove any heavy snow from your greenhouse roof or cold frames. This'll stop them bending from the extra weight and will also let more light in.
- Try not to walk on the snow-covered grass as it can cause fungal diseases to grow and also damages the turf beneath it.
- Prevent your conifer tree branches from being bent out of shape by using lengths of string to support them.
What you can plant indoors now
1. Sow seeds of Tomato, Chillies, Peppers, Aubergines and Cucumbers.
2. Sow scented sweet pea seeds now indoors choose the scented spencer mixes.
3. Sow some Speedy veg and micro green shoots to give you edible shoots and leaves in March.
4. Don't forget to feed your garden song birds and place fresh water out each morning for the birds to wash in.
5. Get those early seed potatoes sprouted indoors now.
6. Pot up some begonias and dahlias.
Want to sow & grow in any weather?
If you're tired of seeing your crop destroyed by bad weather, then the Vegepod is the perfect solution for you. The Vegepod is a self-watering, raised garden bed that'll protect your plants - whatever the weather. It also protects against pests and wildlife, making it the ideal place to grow.
You may also like these blogs:
