Plant Covers | Protect your Plants from the elements

Plant Covers Protect Your Plants Against Insects And The Elements

There are several different reasons you would consider using plant covers, and different circumstances call for different materials and techniques. It is very important that when you decide to use plant covers that you follow directions carefully. Using the wrong material or covering your plants without venting as directed can result in losing your plants altogether.

Larger plants often need plant covers as well. Small trees that do not come in for the season but do not lose their leaves, like boxwoods, are often susceptible to cold temperatures. Plastic covers will protect them from frost, but can cause the air inside the cover to become too warm and damage the plant. Cloth covers are preferable because they allow moisture to escape and help regulate the plant’s temperature. Commercial plant covers are available for sale, but you can also use burlap, cotton, and linen. If you use plastic covers, you must be sure to remove it on mornings when the sun is promising to shine to keep the plant’s temperature regulated.

Wire cages, homemade or store bought are the first step. Be sure to push the bottom prongs securely into the ground around your plant. Your next step is to wrap a barrier plant cover around that cage. Plastic makes effective plant covers, but you must be sure to leave a vent at the top to regulate moisture and temperature inside the cover. You are not leaving your plants susceptible by leaving the top of the plant cover open. Insects are usually blown in by the wind and outdoor elements; they will not enter through the top of your cover. When the plant has grown enough so that the leaves are touching the plastic, the plastic must be removed.

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About Plant Covers Plant Covers Protect Your Plants Against Insects And The Elements There are several different reasons you would consider using plant covers, and different circumstances call for different materials and techniques. It is very important that when you decide to use plant covers that you follow directions carefully. Using the wrong material or covering your plants without venting as directed can result in losing your plants altogether. Larger plants often need plant covers as well. Small trees that do not come in for the season but do not lose their leaves, like boxwoods, are often susceptible to cold temperatures. Plastic covers will protect them from frost, but can cause the air inside the cover to become too warm and damage the plant. Cloth covers are preferable because they allow moisture to escape and help regulate the plant’s temperature. Commercial plant covers are available for sale, but you can also use burlap, cotton, and linen. If you use plastic covers, you must be sure to remove it on mornings when the sun is promising to shine to keep the plant’s temperature regulated. Wire cages, homemade or store bought are the first step. Be sure to push the bottom prongs securely into the ground around your plant. Your next step is to wrap a barrier plant cover around that cage. Plastic makes effective plant covers, but you must be sure to leave a vent at the top to regulate moisture and temperature inside the cover. You are not leaving your plants susceptible by leaving the top of the plant cover open. Insects are usually blown in by the wind and outdoor elements; they will not enter through the top of your cover. When the plant has grown enough so that the leaves are touching the plastic, the plastic must be removed.
	Frost Protection Chilly weather is not a true concern until you hear that there may be frost. In the event of a predicted frost, young plants and even some larger plants must be protected. If you are concerned about a young plant that is not very large, you can make your own plant covers out of items you have in your house. A very effective cover, or cloche, is a two liter pop bottle. You simply cut off the bottom part of the bottle and push it into the ground around your plant, creating a greenhouse of sorts. On warm, sunny days, you must be sure to take the lid off so that the temperature inside your bottle does not become to warm for your plant. Some fabrics are preferable to plastic for effective plant covers. Breathable muslin, cotton, or linen will work. You do not have to worry about venting; moisture will pass through the fabric, as will ventilating breezes. In fact, you do not even have to remove it when the leaves begin to touch it. These plant covers will help protect your plants against harmful insects and give you a boost in your quest for a good harvest.