By sedwards
Landscape plants get plenty of attention during the summer, but they need protection during Georgia’s winter months. Rather than trying to keep plants warm, gardeners should help protect plants from wind, snow, ice, drastic soil temperature changes and heat from the sun on cold days.
To protect plants from cold damage, University of Georgia Extension horticulturists recommend following these six steps:
(1) Plant only varieties that are hardy for the area.
(2) Given a choice, plant less-hardy plants in the highest part of the landscape. Cold air settles in the lowest area.
(3) Protect plants from cold wind with a fence or a tall evergreen hedge of trees or shrubs.
(4) Shade plants from direct winter sun, especially early morning sunshine. Plants that freeze slowly and thaw slowly will be damaged the least. The south side of the house, where there is no shade, is the worse place to plant tender plants.
(5) Stop feeding plants quickly available nitrogen in late summer to allow them to “harden off” before cold weather arrives.
(6) Plastic covering provides excellent protection. Build a frame over the plant or plants, cover them with plastic and secure the plastic to the ground with soil. Shade plastic to keep temperatures from building up inside. Plastic traps moisture and warm air as it radiates from the soil and blocks cold winds. Do not allow the plastic to touch plants.