What is horticultural fleece made of?

What is horticultural fleece made of?

Using horticultural fleece as an alternative to plastic has become more popular with gardeners. It is a synthetic material, made from polyester or polypropylene, and is more like a fabric than plastic. It is similar to fleece clothing, but is thinner and lighter. Garden fleece is lightweight, soft, and warm.

How do I protect my plants with fleece in the winter?

Wrap shrubs in a fleece jacket packed with straw to protect them. Tree ferns need layers of straw packed over the vulnerable crown, plus fleece or hessian wrapped around the trunk. Tie the leafy canopy of cordylines together to prevent wind damage and stop water collecting at the base and causing rot.

Can you use bubble wrap to protect plants from frost?

Sheets of horticultural fleece, bubble wrap and straw can be used to protect the tops of plants. If plants are too large to be indoors, tightly wrap the pots in bubble-wrap or hessian to protect the roots from frost.

Does fleece protect plants from frost?

Potential horticultural fleece uses include protecting plants from a frost, insulating plants against cold temperatures through winter, protecting plants from wind and hail, protecting soil, and keeping pests away from plants. Fleece can be used outdoors, with containers on patios and balconies, or even in greenhouses.

Should I cover my vegetable garden?

It's best to have all covers in place well before sunset. Drape loosely to allow for air circulation. Before you cover the plants in late afternoon or early evening, water your plants lightly. The plants should be mulched, but pull the mulch back from the root of the plants.

What can I use to protect plants from frost?

Bed sheets, drop cloths, blankets and plastic sheets make suitable covers for vulnerable plants. Use stakes to keep material, especially plastic, from touching foliage. Remove the coverings when temperatures rise the next day. For a short cold period, low plantings can be covered with mulch, such as straw or leaf mold.

How do you protect potted plants from frost?

Apply mulch on top of the soil, up to the rims of the pots. This will insulate the soil and protect the roots. You can also wrap blankets, bubble wrap or burlap around the outside of the containers for extra insulation. If you have extra mulch, surround the containers with it.

Will a cloche protect from frost?

Cloches, cold frames and polytunnels are like mini unheated greenhouses that keep out the cold and wind and help retain heat around the plant. They can also be used to protect half-hardy and vulnerable plants from frost.