How can I protect my plants from extremely cold weather?
Last time we had -40F temps, one of my trees died. What could I have done to save it? There's a possibility for extremely cold temperatures again this winter.
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Answers ( 2 )
For younger and more vulnerable tree and shrub species, you can try draping a sheet or cover over the tree in the late afternoon before it gets dark. This can help hold a "bubble" of warmer air and provide some measure of insulation. This method is often used for crops as row covers. If it is an older tree, it may be that the species is not suited for year round outdoor living in your area.
Just because it is a tree doesn't mean it isn't "frost/freeze tender"; here in AZ, citrus trees are often sold in pretty pots, and folks don't realize these are in pots because they are frost-tender- they cannot take a hard freeze; while there are certain types of citrus trees here that can take a freeze, most cannot. But it is a tree, and folks have seen some growing- why! The neighbor has one- over ten foot high! Full of oranges....
You need to know what type of planting you have and whether or not it is suitable for your area.
If it is rated for your area and not frost-tender, it should be able to take a freeze for a short period- overnight, or so; if it is in a pot, you can bring it in doors. And there are ways you can help those that are too large for either of those solutions.
As David says, smaller plantings can be covered with a sheet, but if you cannot keep the cold out somehow, then keeping the air circulating around the plant is critical- which is why citrus growers use tiki-type torches burning in their groves on cold nights. My parents used the large-sized, old-fashioned, incandescent Christmas lights because those bulbs let off heat- Dad strung them through the branches and plugged them in on cold nights.
You also want to insure the roots have plenty of water to keep circulating within the plant, itself. And I have seen some tender plants here in AZ being sprinkled or misted on cold nights, which creates ice on the leaves and branches, but that ice then insulates the plant from further cold. Weird, but I am assured it works.
So, first, figure out what type of plant/tree it is, then research and find out if it is suitable for your location's climate. If it is not, then you will have to devise a plan to support it during the times of year it is most vulnerable.