As October begins, gardeners are being urged to use old bed sheets to protect their plants from the first autumn frost, which can cause significant damage. The advice comes from David Denyer, a flower and garden expert at Eflorist with over 35 years of experience.
Why the first frost is dangerous
Denyer explained that the first autumn frost often catches gardeners off guard because it arrives while the garden still looks full of life. Many plants have been producing new growth after a warm summer and wet September, but that growth contains water and has soft cell walls. When frosty temperatures arrive, the water inside plants freezes and expands, rupturing those cells and leaving them blackened and unable to recover.
Later in winter, most plants naturally harden off and become more resilient, but the first frost usually arrives before they have had the chance to do that, which is why it can cause so much damage.
Simple protection methods
Protecting plants does not require much effort. According to Denyer, it comes down to slowing the rate at which plants shed the warmth they absorb during the day. Covering vulnerable plants with fleece, cloches, or even an old sheet traps a thin layer of warmer air around them and stops it escaping overnight.
He advised removing the covers in the morning so that air can circulate and plants can breathe. Leaving covers on during the day can cause moisture to build up underneath, leading to rot and mould.
Zeeshan Haider, CEO of Greenery Enthusiast, told Homes and Gardens: "Using bed sheets in the garden to prevent plants from frost is a great way to protect your plants from the cold temperatures and keep them healthy."
For hanging baskets that cannot easily be covered, the best course of action is to position them against a wall. Walls retain heat throughout the day and gradually release it after dark, helping to raise the surrounding temperature and ward off frost.
Gardening task to avoid
Denyer also highlighted one thing gardeners should avoid ahead of the first frost: feeding plants. Fertilisers stimulate soft new growth that may appear strong but is highly susceptible to freezing, so it is recommended to stop feeding once summer has passed.
He added: "Another common mistake that many gardeners make in autumn is watering late in the day. You may be in the habit of watering in the evenings to avoid the summer heat, but once temperatures start to drop, this can be risky.
"Wet soil conducts cold much faster than dry soil, which makes it more likely to freeze in low temperatures. If you need to water your plants, do it early in the morning so that any excess moisture can drain away before the temperature drops again overnight."
