Buzz
While nurturing a garden or caring for indoor plants is a rewarding endeavor, there exist numerous threats that can harm your beloved greens. From chilly temperatures to insects to hungry wildlife. If you aim to ensure the safety of your plants, there are several straightforward measures you can implement to shield them. If extreme heat or cold is a concern, insulate them with mulch and shield them with a row cover to mitigate drastic temperature fluctuations. To deter animals from feasting on your plants, erect a fence to keep them at bay. Additionally, consider using chemical treatments to ward off insect pests that threaten your plants.
Steps
Protecting Plants from the Cold
Ensure thorough watering of plants during cold spells. Water acts as a heat trap in the soil, helping to maintain warmth and fortify plants against the cold. Adhering to a consistent watering schedule will safeguard your plants from cold weather damage.
- Water your plants before a frost to retain more heat within the soil.
- Exercise caution to avoid over-watering your plants. Always check the soil's moisture level before watering. If it's adequately moist, refrain from watering.
- If the soil is damp but your plant is still struggling, it may be due to cold temperatures. Explore alternative protective measures.
Shield plants with a row cover during cold spells. A row cover, typically crafted from white fabric, serves as a versatile shield against frost and cold temperatures. Its insulating properties ensure plants remain sufficiently warm even amidst frosty conditions. Simply drape the cover over your plants or construct a basic framework to elevate it above them.
- You can find row covers at garden centers or online.
- Although a regular sheet may suffice, it might not offer the same level of insulation as a specialized row cover.
- Monitor your plants to prevent wilting. While row covers retain heat, they may not provide adequate protection during severe cold snaps.
Provide emergency insulation for low-growing plants with straw or mulch in the event of a sudden frost. When unexpected frosts occur, safeguard your smaller plants with temporary insulation. Straw or mulch effectively traps heat, maintaining warmth within the soil and around the plants. Completely cover low plants with insulation and remove it once the frost subsides.
- This solution is only intended for short-term use. Avoid leaving plants covered for extended periods as they require sunlight to thrive. Remove the mulch or straw once temperatures rise.
- If warmer weather fails to materialize, consider substituting the straw with a row cover or relocating the plants to a warmer spot.
Bring indoor potted plants indoors as temperatures drop. As temperatures plummet, safeguarding potted plants in your garden becomes a straightforward task. Transport them indoors to a suitable location, such as a sunny windowsill, and maintain regular watering routines.
- Optimal locations for indoor potted plants include windowsills, corners, or unused tables.
- Place a tray beneath the pots to prevent water leakage onto furniture surfaces.
- If indoor space is limited or insufficient, explore alternative methods to protect potted plants outdoors.
Preventing Plants from Overheating
Apply a 4–6-inch (10–15 cm) layer of mulch during periods of extreme heat. Mulch acts as a natural insulator, moderating soil temperatures and shielding plants from excessive heat. In regions prone to scorching temperatures, a generous layer of mulch safeguards the soil and prevents overheating.
- Distribute the mulch evenly across the garden soil to ensure comprehensive coverage.
- Mulch typically requires infrequent replenishment. Renewing the layer every 1 or 2 years ensures year-round protection against varied weather conditions.
Use a row cover to shade plants during periods of intense sunlight. Excessive sunlight can scorch plants, particularly in extreme temperatures. Employing a row cover offers shade and helps regulate plant temperatures during hot weather conditions. Cover all plants during heatwaves or unexpected temperature spikes to mitigate potential damage.
- Ensure your row cover permits sunlight penetration. If not, remove it for 4 hours daily to allow sufficient sunlight exposure, especially for sun-loving vegetables requiring 4-6 hours of daily sunlight.
- Removing the row cover also facilitates the access of beneficial insects like bees to the plants.
Water your plants early in the morning to minimize evaporation. Watering plants during peak daytime temperatures leads to rapid moisture evaporation. Instead, irrigate your plants during the cooler hours of the early morning to maximize water absorption before temperatures rise significantly.
- Alternatively, water plants in the evening as the sun begins to set.
Keeping Animals Away
Construct a 6–8 ft (1.8–2.4 m) fence around your property perimeter to deter deer. Deer pose a significant threat to gardens, necessitating protective measures. Install a sturdy fence around your property to prevent deer access, ensuring it stands at least 6 ft (1.8 m) tall to thwart jumping attempts.
- If fencing the entire property isn't feasible, enclose the garden area with a 6 ft (1.8 m) fence.
- Consider using solid fencing to obscure the garden from view, potentially deterring animals by concealing the food source.
Erect a 3 ft (0.91 m) chicken wire fence to deter small animals. Rabbits and woodchucks are common nuisances for home gardens. Construct a basic wire fence by driving four 3 ft (0.91 m) stakes into the ground around the garden perimeter, then wrap chicken wire around the poles and secure it with wire, string, or staples.
- Leave the top 1 foot (0.30 m) of the fence unattached to prevent animals from climbing over.
- Ensure the fence openings are no larger than 1 inch (2.5 cm) to prevent small animal intrusion.
Create a 3-foot (0.91 m) trench lined with chicken wire to deter burrowing animals. Groundhogs and woodchucks can tunnel under fences and cause damage to plants. Prevent burrowing by digging a 3-foot (0.91 m) trench around your garden, lining it with chicken wire, and backfilling with soil. This barrier should discourage animals from digging into your garden.
- Combine this method with a surface fence for added protection. Burrowing creatures may still find their way into the garden without a barrier at ground level.
Removing Insects
Manually remove large insects from plants. Some pests, such as caterpillars or Japanese beetles, can be picked off by hand. Wear gloves and inspect your plants each morning, removing any sizable insects you find crawling on them.
- If uncertain whether an insect is harmful, use tweezers or a gardening shovel for removal.
- Avoid attempting to handle bees or wasps manually to prevent stings.
- Collect the insects in a jar and relocate them elsewhere on your property, preferably to plants you don't mind them feeding on. Alternatively, transport them to a nearby park if you prefer them off your property entirely.
Use row covers to shield plants from insect damage. Row covers serve as an effective barrier against plant-eating insects. If insect infestation is a concern, cover your plants with row covers to deter pests like aphids.
- Remember to remove the covers for 4 hours daily to allow sunlight exposure and beneficial insects to access the plants.
Insert a garlic clove into the soil of potted houseplants to deter insects. The scent of garlic acts as a natural repellent for certain bugs. If you notice flies or other insects around your indoor plants, bury a garlic clove just below the soil surface.
- This method can also be tried outdoors, although the effectiveness may diminish due to the outdoor environment.
- Alternatively, garlic repellent sprays are available for outdoor use, offering a more potent solution to keep bugs at bay.
Protect outdoor plants from insects using a homemade pepper spray. Instead of resorting to chemical pesticides, you can create a natural repellent using a simple recipe. Combine 1 gallon (3.8 l) of water, 1 tbsp (15 g) of red pepper flakes, and 6 drops of dish soap in a bucket. Allow the mixture to steep for 36 hours to infuse the water with the spice. Then transfer the solution into a spray bottle and apply it to your plants.
- To expedite the process, boil the water and pepper flakes in a pot for 15 minutes before letting it sit for 24 hours.
- Other spices such as black pepper, paprika, jalapenos, and cayenne can also be used. Spicy ingredients are effective in repelling insects.
