Winter can be brutal on plants that aren’t built for the cold. But what about those unexpected cold snaps in early fall or late spring? A sudden drop in temperature can catch gardeners off guard, damaging plants that aren’t ready for freezing conditions. If you have perennials, young shrubs, or delicate flowers that don’t handle frost well, you don’t have to leave them to chance.
Marion Owen (aka The UpBeet Gardener), a gardener from Alaska, shares a simple, natural way to protect them, whether it’s the dead of winter or an unseasonable cold spell: using evergreen boughs as insulation. These branches act as a shield against harsh weather, helping your plants survive until warmer days return.
How Evergreen Boughs Protect Plants
Evergreen branches provide a protective barrier against winter’s biggest threats: freezing temperatures, drying winds, and heavy snow. They trap warmth from the soil, reducing temperature swings that can damage roots.
Unlike plastic covers, they allow airflow, preventing mold and rot. Their needles also help shed excess moisture, keeping frost from forming directly on stems and leaves.
Protection from Snow and Ice
Heavy snow can crush delicate plants, breaking stems and suffocating new growth. Evergreen boughs create a light, flexible cover that helps distribute the weight of snow more evenly.
The branches also keep ice from forming directly on the plant, reducing the risk of cold damage. If snow piles up, gently shake the branches to keep the weight from becoming too much.
Shielding Plants from Harsh Cold and Wind
Winter winds can dry out plants by pulling moisture from their leaves and stems. This is especially dangerous for evergreen perennials that keep their foliage year-round.
Evergreen boughs act as a windbreak, reducing exposure to cold, dry air and helping plants retain moisture. This protection is especially useful for newly planted shrubs and tender perennials.
Sudden temperature drops can be devastating for plants, especially if they cause the soil to freeze and thaw repeatedly. Evergreen boughs create an insulating layer, trapping heat from the ground and slowing down the freezing process. This helps protect plant roots from extreme cold, giving them a better chance of surviving until spring.
How to Use Evergreen Boughs
Once temperatures drop consistently below freezing, gently lay evergreen branches over vulnerable plants, making sure they aren’t too heavy. A few inches of coverage will help trap warmth while still letting the plant breathe. In windy areas, weigh them down slightly with small stones or additional greenery to keep them in place.
When to Remove the Covering
As soon as the risk of hard frost has passed in early spring, carefully remove the evergreen boughs to allow new growth to emerge. Leaving them on too long can smother plants or create damp conditions that invite disease. If needles have fallen, they can be left as mulch to enrich the soil.
