Plant Doctor Archive

How do I protect my veggie planter box from frost?

I have built a planter box about 1.6 metres wide and am using it as a veggie patch. Would you please suggest ideas so that I can cover it to keep winter frost out and protect the veggie plants? And also where could I obtain the relevant materials?

I talked to Gill Thurlow, our glasshouse manager, and she suggested two alternative ways of protecting your vegetable plants.

The first is looking at where you have placed your planter box. The best place for it would be under the eaves of a building in a sunny spot. Being next to a building would protect your plants from even severe frosts.

If your planter box is not moveable, then you could cover the box with an appropriate material, such as frost cloth or even newspaper. You would need to build a tent-like frame over the planter box, and cover it with either the frost cloth or newspaper. You take the material off during the day and put it back on when the nights seem likely to produce frosts.

Frost cloth is available from horticultural supply companies and many garden centers. I hope that helps.

Advice by Dr Dan Blanchon from Unitec's Diploma in Sustainable Horticulture and Bachelor of Resource Management.

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