Managing a garden means you have to be knowledgable when it comes to climate change. It is because plants can be affected by the weather in many different ways. You must know how to protect and grow your plants in different weather. But don’t worry, there are types of plants that can survive in cold temperatures because they are mature and tough enough to face the harshest cold weather.
Some plants can even survive in both cold and hot temperatures. But how about those that can’t? Today we’ll discuss how cold temperatures can affect plants and how to protect them so you can avoid future damage so that they will bloom and grow again.
1. Damages Plant Vitality
Cold temperature freezes the plant cells that can cause blockage of the pathway for nutrients and water flow. When this happens your plant will lose its vitality and will result in permanent damage.
Why do plants affect by the cold? The reason depends on a lot of factors, sometimes it is because of the kind of soil used on the plant, how long is the duration of cold, how hard and stable are the plants.
Plant Hardiness Ability
- It can tolerate cold weather
- Survive adverse growing conditions
- Survive climate change
- It has the ability to survive in hot temperature
- It can sometimes survive in a disaster like a flood and a typhoon
2. Freezes Water Inside Plant Cells
We all know that when its winter time cold temperature can freeze the water inside the plant cells, and plants need water to survive and grow. A lack of water can result in severe damage to plants. Instead of wilting, it can be much worse, the leaves will start to die and fall off the plant.
It will also weaken the roots and stems that will result in becoming vulnerable to insect infestation and plant diseases. Even cold weather is done the damage that cold temperature made will still make the plants wilt.
3. Affects Seed Growth
Germination begins when a seed starts to absorb water, which causes the seeds to swell. This process of chain reaction inside a seed cannot be reversed. When the seed is damaged by the cold temperature after germination begins, expect that it will not grow and survive.
Will Seeds Germinate In Cold Soil?
In a long cold winter, the soil will probably be cold and will cause germination delay. In some cases, the seed may rot in the ground. But on the other hand, if the soil is warm it is possible that the seed will germinate early. Some gardeners freeze their seeds so that they can store them for a long time. The best temperature for seedling is around 80 degrees because seeds require high humidity and a warm environment.
How To Protect Your Plant In Cold Temperature?
1. Know When Will Winter Comes
We live in the time of the internet, mobile apps, and tv. It is very easy for us to be prepared for almost anything. With the help of advanced technology, we have the opportunity to know the general weather forecast easier and by knowing it, you can start planning ahead before the winter comes.
Using a Weather Forecast Station will be a huge help. It will show the indoor and outdoor temperature/humidity without turning on the news or stepping outside to check if it’s cold or hot, or if it’s sunny or raining. All you need to do is get one and the information about the weather will be all yours. If you are thinking of buying one, here are the 5 Best Weather Forecast you can find online:
5 Best-Selling Weather Forecast Station
2. Put Soil Thermometer In Your Garden
Putting a soil thermometer in your garden will give you the benefit of being more accurate when knowing the difference between your soil temperature and the actual weather. And by knowing the real temperature of the plant, you will be aware of whether you need to relocate them in a warm place. Some plants can survive at a cold temperature because of its hardiness, so it is important to know the ability of survival of every plant.
3. Have A Moisture Meter
This device gives more in-depth information about your soil condition. It is capable of measuring pH levels and light. A photovoltaic cell on the device measures how much light a plant receives in any location. The moisture meter also determines where in the garden is the best spot to plant because it can determine if it’s a shady spot or acidic soil.
Using a Moisture Meter in a cold-weather will help determine if the soil still has the moisture it needs. Adding a humidity tray in the garden can add moisture to the air. Many gardeners find this device to be very helpful and use it to maintain the moisture of their plants.
4. Use Hay or Mulch
Adding Mulch in the soil can give warmth to your plants and retain its moisture even when the harshest cold weather comes. Applying mulch is the best thing you can do to help the plant survive in cold temperatures. You can also use hay as an alternative if you don’t have mulch.
5. Cover Plants
Plant protection in winter comes in many ways – one of these is by covering plants. There are a lot of materials you can use to cover your plants. Here are some good ones:
Winter Shrub Cover
This winter shrub covers protect shrubs from the damaging effects of severe winter conditions. Synthetic fiber material protects the shrubs from heavy snow build up, freezing rain, and strong wind. It also allows light penetration and airflow.
Frost Cloth Blanket
These plant frost protection covers can protect your plants from snow, frost, wind, dust, and sun, etc, keep your plants grow healthy. It is a solution to giving warmth and moisture for faster germination. These plant frost protection also let air, water, and sunlight through.
Greenhouse
Moving plants into the greenhouse can keep the plants warm enough during winter times. It can provide better circulation of air for the plants, It is strong and stable to hold seed trays, plant containers, pots, and growth light for plants.
6. Transfer Your Plant Indoors
Almost everything about the plant depends on the temperature. It’s age, water, general health, and the stage of growth. All these are determined mostly by the reaction towards the temperature so transferring plants indoor can make life much easier when it comes to temperature. All it needs is to maintain the humidity of the room. The best way to maintain it is to buy a humidifier. You can also maintain the humidity and moisture of the plant is by misting it with room-temperature water.
Conclusion
Having healthy plants in the garden is a lot of work. Starting from the germination up to maintaining them takes a lot of time. So cold temperature effects on plants may give us some worries, but know that we can always find ways to protect them so that they can survive and grow healthy in winter times.
