Chilly winter nights threaten delicate plantings

Gary Carnivele
Special to FineLife Home
Photos Submitted

When the weather outside is frightful, your fragile flora and fauna will find a little protection delightful. Those few weeks of chilly nights that foreshadowed the winter solstice should have been a wake-up call for gardeners in denial. As of December 22, winter is officially upon us. Now is the time to make certain you are providing your susceptible plants with appropriate defense from impending below freezing nighttime dips in temperatures.
“There are two important facts to keep in mind when attempting to avoid cold conditions’ damage to tender plants,” offered Sonoma Master Gardener Doreen Proctor. “The first is, cold air is heavier than warm air and will move downward until it stops, which may be in our gardens or even lower. Secondly, it is that cooled air, which is able to hold less moisture, that does damage by dehydrating tender plants on cold nights.”
Proctor urges green-thumbers to try to stop that shivery air before it can even touch delicate plants. Potted plants should be moved to porches, patios or even under large trees. Trees, bushes, and other large plantings, which cannot be moved to areas that offer overhead protection, should be covered. Light plastic sheeting can be used to make a freestanding tent or lean-to that may be attached to a gutter or eave. The plastic should be at least 3 mil. thick and UV-treated or it may crack and be worthless after a season of use.
“An alternative to plastic, which can conduct cold temperatures, is a protective and re-usable 18-by-10-foot cloth blanket which we sell for $14.99,” said Helma Haines, one of the gardening experts at Wedekind’s Garden Center in Sonoma. “Many of our customers swear by Cloud Cover, a product that stops (cold air) from zapping the moisture out of plants, and we sell it pre-mixed for $12.99 for 16 oz. or in concentrated form for $14.99.”
By paying close attention to the warnings of drops in temperatures forecasted by local weather reports, Proctor said that gardeners can stay one step ahead of the frosty danger. Citrus trees, especially lemon and orange trees, should be sprayed with a coating of water, which will provide adequate insulation. There is no need to be concerned about apple, pear, pomegranate and other hearty fall fruit-bearing trees as they are most hardy.
“Even hearty geraniums can freeze, so try and get them under an overhang,” suggested Proctor. “Tender plants like bougainvillea, hibiscus, jade and young citrus trees will survive frost if properly sheltered. If you can get them into a garage or barn that allows them some sun. Another great way to save them from frost is by draping them with decorative holiday lights.”
To protect plants’ roots, Proctor reminded folks to make certain they are not allowed to dry out and the soil should be moist, but not soggy. A healthy inch or two of organic mulch will keep the soil moist and spare delicate roots from frosty air. Compost deciduous shredded leaves and use that as a mulch. Proctor warned folks not to fertilize frost-susceptible plants during cold months. However, lawns can be kept thriving through the winter if they are fed with an organic fertilizer about six times.
“Gardeners should recognize the many microclimates in their yards as this is the best way to know which variety of plants will thrive and which simply won’t survive,” said Proctor. “Some of us can grow outdoor tropical plants, while others are less lucky no matter how hard they try. When it comes to gardening, it’s all experimentation.”
For more local gardening information, visit the University of California’s Sonoma County Master Gardeners Help Desk at 19722 8th St. E.,Sonoma, 707.938.0127. Hours: Mon., Wed., and Fri. 1 – 3 p.m.
Wedekind’s Garden Center, 21095 Broadway, Sonoma, 707.938.2727. Hours: Sun. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tues. - Sat. 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.