Plant Covers for Winter: What are They & Why do You Need Them?

Protecting your plants during winter is essential for keeping them healthy and ensuring your garden bounces back vibrant in spring. The best plant covers for winter not only shield your plants from frost, snow, and biting winds but also help maintain steady temperatures and moisture levels around vulnerable roots and foliage.​

Why Plant Covers for Winter Matter

Winter exposes gardens to extreme cold, frost, and drying winds, which can damage or kill sensitive plants. Using covers creates a buffer against harsh conditions, preventing leaf burn, stem dieback, and even root loss. Their effectiveness has been proven, proper plant protection translates into healthier plants come spring.

Types of Winter Plant Covers

• Row Covers and Frost Blankets: Made of lightweight fabrics like polypropylene or polyester, these can be draped directly over plants or supported by hoops. They retain heat, allow light and water penetration, and provide significant frost and wind protection.​

• Burlap Wraps: Ideal for shrubs and evergreens, burlap helps stop windburn and insulates from temperature swings. Loosely wrapped around plants and secured with twine or stakes, it maintains airflow while blocking extremes.​

• A-Frame and Fabric Tents: DIY structures using wood frames and fabric create protective microclimates. A-frames shed snow and ice, making them great for medium to large shrubs. You can also buy metal-framed fabric tents for simple installation of these plant covers for winter.​

• Mulch: Applying thick layers of mulch—such as bark, straw, or dried leaves—insulates the soil and plant roots. Mulch also protects perennials and keeps weeds at bay.​

• Cloches: These are mini-greenhouse covers for individual plants, made from glass, plastic, or even repurposed containers. They are perfect for young seedlings and prized ornamentals.​

• DIY Blanket Covers: Old sheets or blankets can provide quick frost protection and be temporary plant covers for winter when needed! Just drape them over plants at night and remove them during the day to prevent overheating.​

How to Use Plant Covers for Winter Effectively

• Select Covers Suited to Plant Size: Small plants may only need cloches, while larger shrubs do better with fabric tents or wraps.​

• Secure Covers Well: Wind can dislodge poorly anchored covers. Use ground staples, rocks, or stakes to hold fabric in place and keep edges tight.​

• Allow for Airflow: While insulation is crucial, plants need fresh air to avoid mold and mildew. Choose breathable materials and avoid wrapping too tightly to ensure your plant covers for winter protect and don’t suffocate your plants!​

• Monitor Regularly: Check covers after storms and adjust as needed. Remove them in the morning after overnight cold snaps to let light in and prevent heat buildup during sunny days.​

Special Tips for Specific Plants

• Roses: Use a burlap-wrapped enclosure stuffed with dried leaves. This insulates and protects sensitive graft unions at the base of the plant.​

• Evergreens: These are resilient but benefit from burlap wraps in windy spots, especially when newly planted.​

• Container Plants: Move pots to sheltered locations or wrap containers with insulating materials like burlap, blankets, or even foam for extra warmth.​

• Seedlings: Lightweight row covers over hoops are excellent for young or tender plants needing a little more warmth.​

Large Garden Solutions

If you have a bigger plot or several plants to protect:

• Group pots together and cover them with large tarps or frost blankets as one big plant cover for winter.

• Use cold frames or construct basic greenhouse tunnels from PVC for rows of crops or flowers.

Winter Garden Support

Choosing the right plant covers for winter is about understanding your local climate, the hardiness of your plants, and the layout of your garden. By selecting appropriate materials and installation methods, you ensure your plants stay healthy and strong through the coldest months, rewarding you with a flourishing garden when winter fades.​

We, at Walnut Ridge Landscaping, are here to support you with any plant covers for winter you may need, as well as reviving all your plants next spring! With a bit of planning and the right protection, your winter garden can thrive, no matter how chilly it gets outside.