Frost Blankets

Keep your plants protected from the cold with our variety of frost blankets!

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Frost Blankets - Grow Organic

Frost Blankets: Protection for Your Plants

Gardening enthusiasts know the challenges of changing weather conditions to their cherished plants. Frost, in particular, is a formidable adversary that can wreak havoc on delicate vegetation. Fortunately, there's a solution at hand – frost blankets. In this informative guide, we'll delve into the world of frost blankets, exploring their benefits, types, and how to effectively use them to safeguard your plants from the perils of frost.

Understanding Frost Blankets

Frost blankets, also known as frost protection covers or plant blankets, are versatile garden tools designed to shield plants from cold temperatures and frost damage. They are crafted from various materials, such as polypropylene, polyester, or fleece, and are available in different sizes and thicknesses. These blankets create a protective barrier around plants, helping to retain heat and prevent freezing.

The Benefits of Using Frost Blankets

  1. Temperature Regulation: One of the primary advantages of frost blankets is their ability to regulate temperature. By trapping heat beneath the cover, they create a microclimate that keeps the plants warmer than the surrounding environment. This is crucial during cold nights and early spring when frost is a common threat.

  2. Protection Against Frost: As the name suggests, frost blankets effectively protect against frost. They prevent ice crystals from forming on the plant's surface, reducing the risk of damage to leaves, flowers, and fruit.

  3. Wind and Pest Barrier: Frost blankets also act as a barrier against strong winds and pests. These covers help maintain a stable environment around your plants, preventing windburn and discouraging pests from reaching your precious vegetation.

  4. UV Protection: Some frost blankets are designed to provide UV protection during summer. This dual-purpose functionality makes them a valuable investment for year-round use.

Types of Frost Blankets

Frost blankets come in various forms, each suited to different purposes and conditions:

  1. Floating Row Covers: These lightweight blankets are draped over plants and secured with stakes or rocks at the edges. They are ideal for protecting young seedlings and delicate crops. The floating design allows for some airflow and light penetration.

  2. Winter Blankets: Heavier and thicker, winter blankets are designed for extreme cold and prolonged frost periods. They are typically used to cover larger plants or garden beds. Winter blankets provide excellent insulation against severe weather.

  3. Shrub Jackets: Shrub jackets are specially designed for protecting small trees, shrubs, and ornamental plants. They are easy to install and remove, making them convenient for seasonal use.

  4. Fleece Blankets: Fleece blankets are soft and gentle on plants. They offer reliable frost protection while allowing air and moisture to circulate, reducing the risk of mold or fungal growth.

How to Use Frost Blankets Effectively

  1. Proper Installation: Ensure the frost blanket covers the entire plant, reaching the ground on all sides. Secure the edges with stakes, rocks, or clips to prevent cold air from infiltrating.

  2. Monitor Temperature: Stay informed about weather conditions and be ready to cover your plants when frost is forecasted. Uncover them during the day to allow sunlight and ventilation.

  3. Watering: Water your plants thoroughly before covering them with a frost blanket. Moist soil retains heat better than dry soil, providing additional protection.

  4. Remove Snow: If snow accumulates on the blanket, gently brush it off to prevent excess weight from damaging the plants.

Frost blankets are indispensable tools for any gardener looking to protect their plants from the harmful effects of frost and cold temperatures. Their versatility, ease of use, and ability to safeguard your garden make them a valuable addition to your gardening arsenal. Whether you have a small vegetable patch or an extensive garden, investing in quality frost blankets will help ensure the health and vitality of your plants year-round.

FAQs: Annie's Perennials

What are perennial plants?

Perennial plants live for more than two growing seasons. If properly cared for, they will return year after year with consistent bloom times to add color and diversity to your garden.

What is the difference between annuals and perennials?

The key difference between annuals and perennials is their lifespan. Annuals live for one growing season, although some of our annual plants do re-seed, thereby prolonging their benefits past a single season. Perennial plants and perennial flowers persist for several years, returning year after year, every growing season. Another difference is that true annuals will bloom throughout the entire season; whereas, perennials may bloom intermittently during or between seasons.

What are the benefits of growing perennials?

Perennial plants and flowers provide lasting beauty and structure to your garden. They have specific seasonal bloom times that remain consistent year after year, ensuring vibrant color for your garden throughout the seasons. Perennials also contribute to biodiversity and help the overall environment. Their deep root systems help prevent soil erosion and retain nutrients, while also sequestering carbon. Planting lots of different perennials with varied bloom times ensures consistent, reliable food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and beneficial wildlife.

When should I buy perennials to plant?

The ideal time to plant perennials is spring or early fall. This allows them to establish their root system before extreme weather.

How do I care for perennial plants?

In general, Perennials need watering, occasional fertilization, and deadheading to encourage repeat blooming. The specific care needs can vary by type. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer many native and low water, low-maintenance perennials to make planting and caring for them easy. We want to make gardening success attainable for everyone.

Can you plant perennials in pots or containers?

Yes! We have hundreds of perennial plants that work well in containers as well as in garden beds. Just make sure your pot size is adequate for the root system of your particular plant.

Do perennials require full sun?

Some perennials prefer full sun, which typically means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Other varieties require full or partial shade. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer you many options for both shade and sun plants to fit every gardening need.

Do perennials attract pollinators and wildlife?

Yes! Perennials, with their reliable bloom times, are valuable additions to a pollinator-friendly garden. They provide consistent food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other beneficial wildlife. Planting many different perennials with varied bloom times will attract and feed pollinators throughout all of the seasons.

What are some popular perennial flowers?

Some common perennials include <strong>Yarrow</strong> (Achillea millefolium), </strong>African daisies</strong> (Arctotis) </strong>Butterfly Bush</strong> (Buddleja davidii), <strong>Campanula, Dahlia, Delphiniums, Peonies (Paeonia), Roses (Rosa), Irises, and Coneflowers</strong> (Echinacea). At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer almost hundreds and hundreds of popular perennials – like the ones previously mentioned, along with more unusual and hard-to-find varieties.

At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we also offer many more perennials that are quite unusual and hard to find

What are hardy perennials?

Hardy perennials are perennial plants that grow for multiple seasons and can survive very cold weather in their growing zones. For this reason, hardy perennial plants are the perfect plant selection for any garden.

Do perennials come back every year?

Yes, if planted and cared for properly, perennials will return year after year. At Annie’s, we offer hundreds of perennials that are perfect beginner plants– easy to grow and easy to care for - so everyone can garden successfully.

What are different types of perennials?

Flowering Perennials: Are known for vibrant, consistent and long-lasting blooms. Examples include peonies (Paenonia), roses (Rosa), coneflowers (Echinaea), Abutilon, Alstroemeria, african daisy (Arctotis), foxglove (Digitalis pupurea), carnations (dianthus), geraniums, sages (Salvia), Strawflowers (helichrysum bracteatum), hollyhocks and impatiens, among many others.

Foliage Perennials: Are known for their striking, colorful foliage. Hostas, heucheras, and ornamental grasses are some common varieties.

Shade-Loving Perennials: Thrive in low-light or partial shade conditions. Examples include astilbes, ferns, and bleeding hearts (dicentras). Some of our favorite shade perennials at Annie’s are Begonias, Fuchsias, Sedges, Hellebores, Heucheras, and Impatiens.

Sun-loving perennials: Thrive in full sun conditions (meaning full sun for at least 6 hours per day). Some common examples of sun-loving perennials are lavender (Lavandula), sage (Salvia), African daisy (Arctotis), and yarrow (Achillea millefolium). At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer almost one thousand sun-loving perennials – like the ones previously mentioned along with more unusual and hard-to-find varieties.

Herbaceous Perennials: These are perennial plants that die back to the ground each Fall or Winter, but whose roots remain alive and send up new growth and reemerge in the Spring or Summer. They include a variety of flowers and foliage, like columbines (Aquilegia), delphiniums, foxglove (Digitalis pupurea), and Iris.

Woody Perennials: These are shrubs and small trees that persist for many years, bringing useful structure and seasonal blooms to your garden. Examples include hydrangeas, California lilac (Ceanothus), fuchsias, and butterfly bushes (Buddleja).

Native Perennials: are well-suited to specific regions and often need less maintenance and human intervention. California native plant species might include yarrow (Achillea), California poppies (Eschscholzia californica), milkweed (Asclepias), monkey flowers (Mimulus), and some sages (Salvias), depending on your location. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer one of the largest selections of CA native perennials to be found anywhere.

Long-Blooming Perennials: Have extended blooming periods and can include varieties like Alstroemeria, Abutilon (Flowering Maples), African daisies (Actotis), Agastache, coreopsis, yarrow (Achillea), and sages (Salvias).

Drought-Tolerant Perennials: Can withstand periods of dry conditions and need less watering. Examples include lavender (Lavandula), yarrow (Achillea), sedum (stonecrop), Agastache, Aloe, milkweed (Asclepias), and some sages (Salvias).

Deer-resistant Perennials: Have characteristics that make them less appealing to deer. Options include yarrow (Achillea), lambs' ears (Stachys byzantine), Agastache, and some ornamental sages (Salvia).

Perennial Bulbs: Some perennials grow from bulbs, including favorites like tulips, daffodils, freesias, ranunculus, and irises. They return year after year, adding color to your garden each spring.

Climbing Perennials: Perennial vines like clematis and wisteria add vertical interest to your garden, climbing trellises, arbors, and fences.