There are various reasons and various times of year that you might find that you need items to protect the plants in your garden. For example, wildlife and bugs can be a threat to your plants at any time. In addition, some plants are more sensitive to cold nights than others. To have a long-lasting and great garden, you’re going to need to know what materials are appropriate for protecting your plants and when to take action.
One of the basic things to protect your plants from is cold. Most of these solutions are easy to implement and relatively inexpensive. For example, if you have a good supply of cardboard boxes and paper bags, you’ll be able to protect your seedlings and sensitive plants from cold nights with ease. Since it’s hard to find cardboard boxes that are small, paper bags are a definite favorite among home gardeners. Just be careful that you only use a paper bag on a clear, still night because the bag will be useless to your plants if it blows away or disintegrates in the rain.
When you need to protect a large part of your garden from the cold, you’ll need more than just a bag or a box. Old sheets can definitely come in handy on a cool spring night or early fall freeze. If you need extra protection, you can construct a makeshift greenhouse or cold frame with plastic sheeting and wood or plastic supports.
Some solutions will be a little bit more expensive. For example, to protect your garden from a variety of the elements – scorching heat in the summer, frost in the fall or spring, or various harmful insects, I recommend purchasing a floating row cover. The lightweight material won’t crush your plants, but will keep these unwanted things at bay. And nothing can outdo a fence when it comes to keeping away small animals, both domesticated and wild. A good fence ensures that you, not some raccoon, are enjoying the plants in your garden.
