Choose what needs protection
Check the local forecast and the plants’ growth stage. Young vegetables, annuals, and tender shoots can be vulnerable. Some perennials and woody plants need cool weather to enter dormancy, so check species-specific guidance.
A cover retains some soil heat and limits exposure to cold air. It is not a heated greenhouse, and a long or severe freeze can still cause damage.
Set up a loose frame
Use hoops, stakes, or a light frame to hold garden fabric above foliage, with enough space that it does not press on leaves or stems.
Bring every edge down to the ground and secure it with boards, stones, or garden pins. Check that the cover does not crush plants or snag on the frame.
Cover before temperatures fall
Prepare the frame ahead of time and cover the bed in the evening before temperatures fall sharply. Wind and the length of the cold spell affect results.
Keep plastic off the leaves. If it is part of a tunnel, hold it on a frame and ventilate the structure as conditions warm.
Open the bed after warming
Open or remove the cover as the morning warms; a closed structure can overheat in sunshine. If another cold night is forecast, cover the plants again in the evening.
Example: seedlings are in a bed and a cold night is forecast. Set hoops, spread garden fabric over them, and secure the edges. Open the bed as it warms, then note any damage to guide what you cover next time.
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