Protecting Your Plants from the Winter Cold.

It's been a little while since our last blog post. Over the past few months, life has taken us in a different direction, and with a few changes behind the scenes, we've had to put our blog posts on hold for a short time.

The good news is we're back, and with winter well underway across New Zealand, we couldn't think of a better blog post to kick things off again.

Cold mornings, frosts, and chilly winds can be tough on Subtropicals. While the typical winter vege bears through, subtropicals will need a little extra help to get through the coldest days of July and August. Fortunately, you don't need expensive equipment or a heated greenhouse to keep (most!) of them alive.

Here are three simple ways to help your plants survive winter and come into spring healthy and ready to grow.

1. Build a Simple Frost Protection Structure

A simple frost shelter is inexpensive, takes an hour or so to build, and can make a huge difference on frosty nights. Rather than letting frost settle directly onto your plants, a simple frost protection structure creates a pocket of slightly warmer, still air around them.

A key is making sure the plastic or frost cloth doesn't touch the foliage. If the fabric sits directly on the leaves, the cold will transfer through it and still cause frost damage.

You'll Need

• 4 wooden stakes.
• Frost cloth (garden fleece) or Horticultural plastic.
• Garden clips/string or staples & a staple-gun.
• A few bricks or rocks to secure the edges.
• Scissors.

How to Build It :

1. Place one stake at each corner around the plant, leaving enough room so they sit outside the foliage.
2. Make sure the stakes are slightly taller than the plant.
3. Drape the frost cloth or plastic  over the stakes to create a tent.
4. Secure the cloth to the stakes using clips, string or a stable gun.
5. Anchor the edges with bricks, rocks, or a little soil to help trap warmer air overnight.
6. Remove or lift the cover during warmer days to allow fresh air to circulate.

This simple shelter essentially acts like a jacket for your plant keeping frost off the leaves while reducing heat loss overnight. Please amend or change it according to your circumstances. It's ideal for tropical plants, but can be used for other plants as well. Frost cloth is generally preferred over plastic, due to its breathability and porous nature, if plastic sheeting is used, ensure adequate care is taken to ventilate the structure (to prevent fungal/bacterial issues).

2. Move Plants Under Cover

If you have potted plants, the easiest way to protect them is to  move them somewhere sheltered before the cold weather arrives.

An unheated greenhouse, tunnel house, covered patio, or even under the eaves of your home can provide enough protection to prevent frost damage. These sheltered spaces will also protect subtropicals from cold winds and excessive rain.

For plants growing in the ground, make the most of natural shelter. Positioning them beside a fence, hedge, wall, or beneath the canopy of larger trees can create a warmer microclimate and reduce exposure to frost.

3. Don't Rush to Remove Frost-Damaged Leaves 

After a frosty morning, it's tempting to prune away any blackened of wilted leaves straight away, however it is better to wait.

The damaged leaves actually provide protection, especially on Bananas and Papayas. They act as a natural barrier, helping to shield the rest of the plant and living tissue from any further cold damage that may still be on the way. If you remove them too early, you expose the plant's living tissue, making it more vulnerable to the next cold snap.

Once the risk of frost has passed (typically by Mid-September here in Auckland) and new growth starts to appear, you can safely trim away any dead leaves and stems. This encourages healthy new growth without putting unnecessary stress on the plant.

A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way

With the right preparation, many Subtropicals will be able to handle the colder months. Using frost protection, providing shelter, and avoiding unnecessary pruning after frost damage can help protect your plants and support healthy growth when spring arrives. Winter is the most challenging time for tropicals, but spending the extra time to invest in their protection over winter will help preserve the growth you have worked hard to achieve over the warmer months. 

We're looking forward to sharing some more tips over the next month as winter comes to an end, until then, take care and all the best growing.

Cheers,

Arya