DIY guideLawn and garden
Cover or bring in plants before frost or hail
When frost or hail is forecast, water the beds, cover tender plants right down to the ground, and bring the pots inside.
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When a night near freezing or hail is forecast, cover the plants that afternoon.
Water the beds in the afternoon: damp soil holds the day's warmth better than dry.
Move pots and hanging baskets into the garage, a shed or the house.
Drape old sheets, frost cloth or buckets over tender plants, right down to the soil, to hold in the ground's warmth.
Keep plastic off the leaves: the cold comes through it. Put a sheet under it, or leave it out.
Pin the edges with bricks or stones so wind and hail don't lift the covers.
Take the covers off once it warms up, so the plants don't overheat.
What you need
- Old sheets, frost cloth or buckets
- Bricks or stones
- A hose or watering can
Call a pro if
- A tree or large shrub damaged by ice or hail
- Branches hanging over the house or a walk
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