Winter can be a serious challenge for some plants. Today, many gardeners successfully use covering material for young trees, shrubs, and other heat-loving crops. It protects them from severe frosts, winds, and temperature fluctuations. The market for such products is large and diverse. To choose the right winter covering for plants, it's important to understand the properties and characteristics of insulation, as each has its own pros and cons.
Reasons for covering trees
In winter, crops' metabolism slows, visible growth ceases, and they enter a dormant state. During this time, plants form new cells and tissues, and leaf buds are formed, making them vulnerable.
The main reasons for sheltering are:
- In some regions, frost arrives before snow falls. The lack of snow cover leads to the freezing of plant shoots and roots.
- Sudden temperature changes cause frost cracks to appear on tree trunks, making them vulnerable to pests and diseases.
- Bright, sunny days cause burns on tree trunks.
- Due to the lack of food for rodents and hares in winter, they happily eat tree bark and shoots.
You may be interested in:Insulation of plants
Many crops can survive the winter without insulation. However, certain species require specific conditions for successful cultivation. The following plants require shelter:
You may be interested in:- bulbous flowers;
- all roses;
- ornamental shrubs;
- alpine plants;
- conifers;
- strawberries, raspberries;
- rhododendrons;
- perennial flowers, clematis;
- winter garlic.
Natural covering material
This type of insulation is a traditional method of covering. It's inexpensive and can be found in virtually any location. Its natural raw materials are environmentally friendly. It doesn't require washing or cleaning at the end of the season.
Leaves are among the most readily available insulating materials for protecting crops from the cold. They should be harvested during periods of prolonged sunny and dry weather. Mandatory conditions for using leaves:
- The material is used only from healthy trees.
- The foliage should be free of plaque and spots.
- The absence of pests in crops is a prerequisite.
Chestnut, birch, or maple leaves are preferred. Unlike fruit trees, they are more resistant to temperature fluctuations and decompose more slowly. To prevent the leaves from sticking together during rain, which impedes air flow to the roots, they are additionally covered with another material.
In areas where coniferous trees grow, spruce branches are widely used. Fir, pine, and spruce trees are suitable for this purpose. The needles do not absorb moisture, are breathable, and maintain their shape. Trees wrapped in spruce branches not only receive protection from the cold but also from rodents, who are repelled by the spiky needles.
Snow is the most convenient covering material, but it's not reliable in all regions. It can fall after frost has already set in, melt in the depths of winter, and then turn into a crust of ice. Strong winds can blow snow away from exposed areas. It's important to monitor the snow level in the area and, if necessary, implement measures to retain it. Covering materials can be made from corn, raspberry, or sunflower stalks, cut tree branches, corrugated metal sheets, or plastic mesh.
Non-woven materials
This is one of the best ways to protect against the cold. The material is permeable to moisture and air. A constant warm temperature is maintained underneath, partly due to its ability to transmit sunlight. Its soft structure and light weight allow the material to be thrown over plants without a frame. Simply anchor it to the ground with something heavy. All nonwoven materials differ in name, manufacturer, fabric thickness, and roll size.
Lutrasil, a fibrous or mesh-like material in white or black, provides excellent frost protection for plants. It can be used to cover rhododendrons, rose bushes and young trees. The material is inexpensive, soft, dense, and comes in various thicknesses. Lutrasil is rot-resistant and provides excellent protection from frost down to -7°C. It is easy to care for and retains its appearance for three seasons. It is easy to roll and unroll. The material is safe for plants and humans and does not release toxins.
You may be interested in:Geotextiles are made from synthetic polypropylene or polyester fibers. They are characterized by a long service life and high quality. The fabric is elastic, durable, and resistant to damage from adverse weather conditions, insects, and rodents. The covering fabric is environmentally friendly and allows air and water to pass through. Plants beneath the material do not rot or decay. By covering the protective cones of the fabric with snow, crops can be further insulated during severe frosts. Insulation comes in a variety of colors and manufacturing methods.
Spunbond is a material made from thin polypropylene fibers thermally bonded together. This fabric is widely used not only in gardens but also on an industrial scale. It has a long service life. The agrofibre is virtually weightless and allows air and moisture to pass through easily. The covering material is wear-resistant and environmentally friendly. Special stabilizers included in the insulation prevent decomposition and damage by fungi and microorganisms. Timely winter covering of plants with spunbond will protect them from extreme weather conditions.
Polyethylene film
For a long time, this material was the primary winter insulator. However, its lifespan was limited by seasons, as it quickly became cloudy, blocking light. The film's strength decreased significantly, making it easily damaged. Today, the market offers various types of polyethylene film.
By appearance the reinforced film resembles a mesh, which is laminated to both sides with polyethylene film. The mesh threads, varying in thickness, are made from polyethylene, fiberglass, and polypropylene. This gives the fabric high strength and stretch resistance. Damage is limited to the mesh size, making it easy to repair.
The insulation's vapor and waterproofing properties allow it to withstand harsh weather conditions, including temperatures down to -30°C, gale-force winds, and hail and heavy rain. The reinforced film is suitable for use for over five years. White film blocks light best.
Bubble wrap Bubble wrap is a transparent material with small air-filled bubbles. Manufacturers produce several models with different bubble sizes. Larger bubbles provide better light transmission, but lower mechanical properties. The material is harmless to plants and humans. Bubble wrap has good heat-retaining properties, making it resistant to low temperatures. The density of the covering insulation is 83-120 g/m². Due to its light weight, the material does not require a frame. However, if one is needed, its flexibility makes it easy to install on any structure.
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Light-stabilized insulation is formulated with a special stabilizer during production, which protects the film from ultraviolet radiation. This extends its lifespan. The film can protect crops from frosts down to -8°C. Depending on the model, this type of insulation can last up to 7 years. To prevent condensation, some manufacturers incorporate hydrophilic additives into the material, and dyes are added to alter the solar spectrum. Exposure to chemicals containing sulfur or bromine can damage the film.
Other materials at hand
In addition to natural, non-woven materials and polyethylene film, improvised materials can be used for insulation. Burlap is not the best material for covering plants for the winter. It is more likely to protect crops from the sun than from frost. Burlap is used to tie the trunks of young trees and to cover heat-loving crops. Burlap bags are made from natural and synthetic fabrics.
Burlap absorbs moisture and, when exposed to low temperatures and cold winds, fails to dry out, turning into an icy crust that envelops the plant. Mold and rot develop under the damp fabric. The lack of proper ventilation can lead to plant death. If old bags that haven't been properly disinfected are used for cover, they can become a source of various infections.
Construction materials may contain harmful chemicals, so their use should be approached with caution. Some are impermeable to moisture and air, leading to plant rot.
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