About Natural Covering Material For Plants

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

In recent years, winters have not pampered us with an abundance of snow and constant temperatures. It happens that outside the window is minus 20, and there is not a snowflake on the ground, but it happens that it is minus 5 and there is a lot of snow. It is believed that in such weather conditions, the plants in our gardens, vegetable gardens, summer cottages need additional insulation

Do all plants need to be insulated?

Recently, the mass media, including specialized publications for gardeners, have recommended wrapping up most of the plants that "live" on our plots for the winter. But in fact, this does not need to be done, since not all plants need additional insulation. Most of them, bought from local nurseries, are acclimatized (adapted to current weather conditions) and easily tolerate large changes in winter temperatures.

But various exotic plants, heat-loving shrubs such as yucca, roses, rhododendron, clematis, peonies, lilies and so on require protection. But even here you should not overdo it, since most of the rose bushes, for example, do not die from frost, but because of the rotting of the roots, which occurs with early shelter and late opening of the plant. So, as the old saying goes, everything is good in moderation.

And there is one more important detail - not all plants, even carefully covered ones, can survive the winter. It happens that a carefully wrapped plant, despite all efforts, dies. Why might this be happening? Plants die not only from frost, but also from temperature changes, from drying out the soil, therefore, the preparation of a garden-garden-dacha for wintering must be approached comprehensively: water and feed on time, not forgetting about pre-winter watering and feeding, so that the plants gain strength and survive even the harshest winter.

Pros and cons of the most affordable covering materials

To shelter plants for the winter and protect them from frost, several types of covering material of natural origin are most often used:

- land (cover with soil from the garden);

- spruce branches;

- fallen leaves.

Let's take a look at all of their pros and cons in more detail.

Shelter of plants with earth from the site

This is probably the most common method. Let's see what it is? Hilling is called the shelter of the root system and the stalks remaining after pruning the plant. It is believed that the land embankment freezes slowly and protects the plants from freezing. This is only partially true, as the soil does freeze, albeit more slowly. Therefore, it is better to use looser materials for hilling, for example, peat or humus. And additionally, stretch a small tent over the plant from any factory covering material.

You should not refuse hilling, since it is precisely this that saves the plants from getting wet in the spring, since the "tent" from the ground well drains the melt water.

Shelter from spruce branches

But spruce branches are considered one of the best covering materials. It really does a very good job and protects plants from winter freezing. But despite its excellent thermal insulation properties, spruce branches still have their drawbacks. Firstly, not everyone has a forest or a planting “close by” where you can easily get spruce branches. Secondly, you simply cannot cut branches from spruce and pine trees, you need to find already felled trees in places of planned felling, otherwise you risk violating the Forestry Regulations. Thirdly, along with an excellent covering material, you run the risk of bringing diseases and pests into your garden, so carefully examine the trees from which you plan to cut branches. They should be completely healthy, with clean bark and no yellowed needles. Then you will cover your garden without causing additional damage to yourself.

Covering with leaves

Despite the fact that the leaves are a very good covering material that perfectly protects our plantings, they must be used with great care. And if there is a possibility, then do not use it at all. Yes, the leaves have excellent thermal insulation properties, but the disadvantages significantly outweigh the advantages. Firstly, various harmful insects and rodents, for example, mice, like to hibernate in fallen leaves. Secondly, the leaves decompose very quickly and by the spring there will be nothing left of such a shelter. Only oak leaves are good. Thirdly, only dry leaves are suitable as a covering material, which means that they need to be dried and then stored somewhere until they are needed.

That's all the main types of natural covering material are considered. I hope this information will help you navigate how best to protect your plants in winter.