How to Cover Plants for Winter Protection

As temperatures drop and frost begins to appear, many gardeners start to worry about their plants. Without proper care, freezing temperatures can damage roots, dry out leaves, and harm even the hardiest plants. Learning how to cover plants for winter protection is the best way to help them survive the cold months. 

The good news is that keeping your plants safe doesn’t have to be difficult. In this guide you will learn simple steps to shield your plants and help them stay healthy until spring. 

When to Cover Your Plants

One of the most crucial times to protect your garden is before the first frost. Frost occurs when the air temperature drops to 32°F (0°C) or lower, causing ice crystals to form on leaves and stems which can severely damage or even kill tender plants overnight.

Covering your plants a day or two before the first expected frost helps them gradually adjust to cooler temperatures while preventing sudden shock or tissue damage.

Frost dates vary by region across the U.S., so it’s important to know when it typically happens in your area. You can check your local first frost date using the Farmer’s Almanac Frost Date Calculator  simply enter your ZIP code to find accurate predictions.

Techniques to Cover Your Plants

Method 1: Simple Drape & Anchor 

This method is best for flexible, shorter plants and is great for quick, overnight frost events.

1. Choose the Right Material: Use lightweight frost cloth (also called row cover or horticultural fleece), old bed sheets, blankets, or towels. Avoid placing plastic sheeting or tarps directly on the foliage, as cold can easily transfer through it and trap damaging moisture.
2. Drape Loosely: Lay the material loosely over the entire plant canopy. Do not pull it taut; a loose covering allows for better air pockets and prevents breaking fragile stems.
3. Anchor to the Ground (Crucial!): Ensure the cover reaches all the way to the soil. Secure the edges using bricks, heavy rocks, boards, or garden staples. Sealing the cover to the ground traps the heat radiating from the soil.

Method 2: The Teepee/Frame Method

This technique is necessary to keep the covering off the foliage, which is vital for preventing freeze damage where the material touches the leaves, and to avoid crushing brittle branches.

1. Build a Support Frame: Place 3-5 sturdy stakes (bamboo, wooden dowels, or PVC pipe) around the plant, making sure they are slightly taller than the plant itself. A sturdy, inverted tomato cage also works well as a pre-made frame.
2. Drape the Cover: Drape your chosen material (burlap, heavy frost cloth, or a blanket) over the frame. The material should be resting on the stakes, not the plant.
3. Secure and Seal: Cinch the cover tightly at the top and base with twine, rope, or clamps. Make sure the cover is still touching the ground to create the protective, insulated air pocket.

• • Pro Tip: If you use burlap, you can secure it directly around the shrub in multiple layers. Burlap is naturally breathable.

Method 3: Potted Plant Protection

When cold weather hits, proper covering can make all the difference in protecting your potted plants. Here’s how to do it right:

1. Cluster for Warmth
   Group your pots close together—preferably against a warm, south-facing wall. Clustering helps them share heat and reduces exposure to freezing wind.
2. Create an Insulating Wrap
   Use thick burlap, old blankets, or frost cloths to wrap around the entire cluster. Make sure the cover reaches down to the ground to trap warmth around the pots.
3.  Keep It Supported
   Use wooden stakes, garden hoops, or lightweight frames to hold the cover in place. This prevents it from pressing directly on the plants and allows for air circulation.
4. Secure the Base
   Tuck the edges of the cover around the bottom or weigh them down with stones or bricks to block cold drafts, but don’t seal it completely—some airflow is essential to prevent mold.
5. Extra Protection for Pots
   If possible, add a layer of mulch, straw, or leaves inside the covering around the pots. This adds insulation and helps keep roots from freezing.

Method 4: Soil and Trunk Protection (Long-Term)

These methods focus on insulating the roots and preventing sun damage on woody plants.

• Mulch the Crown: For rose bushes and borderline-hardy perennials, apply a thick layer (4-6 inches) of dry, loose mulch (pine needles, straw, or wood chips) directly over the crown (where the stem meets the soil). This prevents damaging frost heave.
• Wrap Young Trunks: Use commercial tree wrap or strips of burlap to wrap the trunks of young trees. This protects the bark from sun scald damage caused by warm sun hitting the trunk and then rapid freezing at night.

Advanced Tips for Extreme Cold

1. Use a Greenhouse for Maximum Protection

A greenhouse offers the best defense against extreme cold by creating a controlled environment where temperature, humidity, and light can be managed.

• Add thermal mass: Place water barrels or large stones inside the greenhouse to absorb heat during the day and release it at night.
• Use double-layer plastic: This extra layer traps air, improving insulation.
• Ventilate on sunny days: Prevent overheating by slightly opening vents or doors when temperatures rise above 50°F (10°C).
• Add grow lights: Supplemental lighting helps maintain plant health when daylight hours are short.
• Seal gaps: Check for air leaks and seal them with weather-resistant tape or foam strips.

2. Create a Cold Frame for Smaller Gardens

• Use old windows or clear lids: Repurpose them as the top cover for your cold frame to allow sunlight in while trapping warmth.
• Angle toward the sun: Position the frame facing south for maximum heat absorption.
• Insulate edges: Line the inside with straw bales or foam boards to retain heat.
• Add temperature control: Use an automatic vent opener to prevent overheating on sunny days.
• Layer inside: Add mulch, straw, or leaves around pots for added insulation.

Post-Cover Care & Troubleshooting 

• Damage Control: If snow falls, gently brush it off covers immediately to prevent weight damage.
• Pest Check: Inspect covers periodically for mice or other pests seeking winter shelter.
• Spring Transition: Outline the process of gradually removing protective layers as consistent spring weather returns.

Conclusion:

Winter doesn’t have to harm your garden. By learning how to cover plants for winter, you can protect roots, leaves, and stems from frost, freezing temperatures, and moisture loss. Whether it’s tender perennials, potted plants, or young shrubs, the right protection keeps your garden healthy and ready to thrive in spring.

Simple steps can make all the difference. Check your covers regularly and remove them during warmer days to keep plants safe.

Protect your garden this winter with Hardy Garden’s durable and easy-to-use winter covers. Shop now and give your plants the warmth and protection they deserve!