Protecting plants from the cold with a winter cover is sometimes not enough. This little extra gesture is essential.
As winter sets in, our plants, especially those outdoors, endure the rigors of the cold. This week, with the drop in temperatures, it is essential to adopt simple but effective actions to protect your plants. Among these actions, there is one that is particularly little known and yet crucial to avoid killing the plantations.
Frost is one of the main enemies of plants in winter. When it is very cold, stagnant humidity and direct contact with icy soil can damage the roots, an essential part of the plant for its nutrition and growth. Indeed, the roots are much more sensitive than the foliage and, if they freeze, they may no longer be able to absorb the water and nutrients necessary for the survival of your plant.
In addition, floors and surfaces such as concrete or stone balconies or terraces tend to retain cold and transmit it directly to the pot. It then becomes essential to reduce this contact to offer your plants better insulation. The trick is to simply raise your plants, especially if they are in terracotta pots, a material that easily absorbs humidity (more than those made of plastic or resin).
There is a really simple method that anyone can do, without any special equipment. This involves placing an upside down saucer under your pots. It’s an easy, economical and effective tip that allows you to raise your plants and prevent their roots from being in direct contact with frozen soil or even icy water. By creating this space between the pot and the surface, you limit exposure to cold and improve air circulation around the pot.
How to proceed? Simply take a saucer adapted to the size of your plant’s pot. Turn it over so that the rounded part is facing up. Place your pot on the saucer thus arranged. This simple gesture creates an additional barrier between your plants and the cold of the soil. If you don’t have a saucer on hand, you can also use bricks, wooden blocks or even specific pot holders.
In addition, here are some additional tips to help your plants survive the cold this week:
- Group your pots: by placing your plants side by side, they create a microclimate that better retains heat.
- Cover your sensitive plants using a winter veil or light fabric to protect the foliage from night and morning frosts.
- Avoid watering during periods of frost. Excess moisture can freeze and damage roots.
- Bring in the most fragile plants.