How to Keep Your Garden Beds Insulated During a Sudden Spring Frost

A long winter might have you rearing at the bit to get out into the garden. While spring is a great time to get maintenance back on track and fresh seedlings ready to sprout, those few icy chills can keep plants shivering. 

Properly insulating your garden is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your beloved bulbs stay warm and strong. Fortunately, there are plenty of natural ways to do this.

Garden Pebbles

Landscaping stones are awesome because they have so many uses for indoor and outdoor projects. They also come in a great variety of colors, sizes, and patterns, so you don’t have to worry about sacrificing aesthetics. 

However, rocks aren’t just pretty. They can be highly beneficial for plants, especially as insulation. Adding a layer of landscaping stones, such as neutral Grey Mexican Beach Pebbles, retains heat that keeps plant roots warm during a surprise spring cold front.

Mulch

This is another great natural option for keeping your garden well-covered until the spring sunshine is there to stay. Mulch is applied the same way river rocks are, layered over the soil to protect and insult plants under a thick wooded blanket.

Bear in mind that while mulch works well, it isn’t as long-lasting as pebbles. You also want to be careful of moisture, as mulch tends to retain water, which can lead to rot in cool, humid conditions.

Plant Blankets

One way to protect your precious plant babies from an overnight frost is to keep them covered. By watching the forecast, you can plan accordingly if temperatures are expected to dip.

 

Cover up your beds with towels, bed sheets, or drop clothes. Use stakes and twine to hold the blankets in place, sort of like a tent structure. 

Let the material drape down to the soil line instead of securing it around the trunk or base of the plant. This allows heat that rises from the soil to reach the plant. 

For extra frost protection, add a layer of plastic, such as a tarp or shower curtain, over the cloth blankets.