Overwintering plants for frost damage

Frost bursts plant cells and rots roots sitting in cold, wet compost. Checking after each freeze lets you protect the survivors and remove damaged growth before it rots the rest.

When

Through late autumn to early spring, checking after every hard frost and cold snap.

How

1) Check tender plants and pots for blackened, mushy or collapsed growth. 2) Feel the compost in pots, as roots frozen solid or heaved up by frost need protecting. 3) Check that fleece, cloches and cold frame lids are still in place and secure after wind. 4) Look for young plants lifted by frost and firm them gently back in. 5) Ventilate on mild days so damp does not build up and rot plants under cover.

Notes

Leave frosted top growth on borderline plants until spring, as it shelters the crown below. Stand pots on feet so they drain freely and do not sit in ice.