Forum home› Plants
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

A question about fleece

CrazybeeladyCrazybeelady Posts: 778
in Plants
Hello all. I was debating putting some fleece over a couple of plants this winter. My question is this: surely fleece isn't waterproof? Once it gets wet is it really offering much warmth to a plant? If wet fleece then freezes, is that not even worse than having nothing on? Should I put some kind of plastic on top of the fleece?
I said question, but I guess it turned into questions 😁
«13

Posts

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Fleece on plants over winter is fine, yes it gets wet but traps warmth underneath. Needs to be pegged over or down in case of wind of course. I loosely wrap fleece around bigger plants if needed and peg the ends together. You can also buy fleece covers with drawstring necks to protect shrubs.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    It works better if draped over a frame such as bamboo canes pushed in around vulnerable plants as this stops wet and frozen fleece touching the leaves.  The frame also helps make a pocket of warmer air around the plant and even one or two degrees can make a difference.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • CrazybeeladyCrazybeelady Posts: 778
    Thanks both, I've got lots of bamboo sticks so I'll give that a try.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The important thing to remember with any insulation is that it traps cold air as well, so it needs to be in place before temps get too low. In frosty weather, it can be sunny and even fairly warm in the daytime, but if the temps drop to a low level before the fleece goes on, the cold gets trapped instead, so it's wise to get it on before the temp gets too low again. It's the same with greenhouses   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    If your garden is in a dip or has a 'frost pocket' a layer or two of fleece just draped around can be enough to break the flow of cold air down towards the lower part of the garden. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • CrazybeeladyCrazybeelady Posts: 778
    Alas @Fairygirl I think I am already too late! -2 here this morning and a very unhappy looking potted rhododendron 😞
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited November 2021
    Rhodies don't need protection.  :)
    You'd only protect them if they're cuttings or tiny plants until they're big enough to plant out. Even then, they don't need much. In among other shrubs or against a house wall etc.

    If you need to protect anything, it would be the pot. They aren't great as pot specimens [they're shallow rooted too, so they're susceptible to drying out ] but if you have to do it, put them in among other plants/shrubs/trees, or in a corner out of the sun which will also help guard against bud damage after frost in spring. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • CrazybeeladyCrazybeelady Posts: 778
    Ok thanks - I thought maybe as it's potted, but I have wrapped the pot in bubble wrap. I've got some young Echium Pininanas though which I thought I had protected quite well - only in a plastic greenhouse admittedly but I've wrapped the pots in this lovely thick sheep wool, but this morning there are quite a lot of blackened leaves!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Echiums are vastly different [in hardiness terms] to Rhodies.  :)
    The plastic greenhouses are no use for retaining warmth. They're only good for keeping rain/sleet/snow out, but they really don't have any protection against frost and ice. A good cold frame offers more protection. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • CrazybeeladyCrazybeelady Posts: 778
    I've got a cold frame but they're way too tall for it - they're probably about 2ft tall. I think I might have to bring them indoors at night! What a pain, but I want them to survive. Thanks for your help 😁
Sign In or Register to comment.