Home
Weather London
WeatherRadar
RainfallRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
Career
    Home / Editor's Pick /

    Frost still possible: How to protect your plants

11:00
23 April 2023

Frost still possible
How to protect your plants

frost

It is a tricky time of the year for gardeners. Spring is here and it is time to sow, but the threat of overnight frosts remains.

Early in the growing season, sudden cold snaps such as an overnight frost could significantly stun a plant's growth or potentially kill them.

We may see a few frosty nights in the coming days so here are a few ways to keep your garden smiling through the spring. You can check where on the TemperatureRadar.

Bring potted plants indoors

One of the most effective methods of protecting your plants is to bring light and small pots indoors. Plants in containers are more susceptible to freezing temperatures as they don't benefit from the insulating effects of the earth.

Bringing them indoors will protect them, but take note that putting them in a place that's too warm can shock the plant—a garage, shed, or basement are all good options.

Cover plants with a cloche

A cloche is any bell-shaped cover, usually made from plastic or glass, that helps keep smaller plants warm. You can buy a cloche, or construct one from household supplies (e.g. an upside-down bucket, a cut-off water bottle, or a flower pot).

Water plants in the afternoon

Keeping the soil moist can help protect plants from the cold. This is because moist soil has an insulating effect and will help protect plants from freezing.

A light watering to wet the soil helps the ground retain more heat. Careful not to overwater though, or you could risk frost heaving.

Try a blanket

Just like you would wrap yourself up on a chilly night, you can protect larger groups of plants from frost by laying down blankets, bed sheets, towels, or drop cloths.

Make sure you set up stakes around the area you want to be covered and use them to form a tent-like structure. You don't want to squash your hard work!

Last frost datesread more
Weather & Radar editorial team
More on the topic
Europe's summer set to to break records. Extreme heat and drought. . . Tuesday, 11 August 2026
Split image showing a European heat map with temperatures reaching 39°C in France and Spain on the left, and a severely depleted river with exposed sandy banks beneath a bridge on the right.
Tuesday, 11 August 2026

Extreme heat and drought

Europe's summer set to to break records
Cooler nights on the horizon. For parts of Europe. . . Thursday, 6 August 2026
Temperature Radar showing the night-time lows in Central Europe. Cooler air is reaching the west and north in particular, whilst the south-east remains significantly warmer.
Thursday, 6 August 2026

For parts of Europe

Cooler nights on the horizon
The Perseids reach their peak. Shooting stars overhead. . . Tuesday, 11 August 2026
Shooting stars in the night sky
Tuesday, 11 August 2026

Shooting stars overhead

The Perseids reach their peak
All weather news
This might also interest you
Flooding, gales, and heavy snow. Storm Chandra. . . Tuesday, 27 January 2026
Split image showing aerial flooding in a town with muddy water covering roads on the left, and a rural road on the right blocked by heavy snowfall with vans stopped and a person walking in snow.
Tuesday, 27 January 2026

Storm Chandra

Flooding, gales, and heavy snow
Storm Chandra makes impact. Severe gales & heavy rain. . . Tuesday, 27 January 2026
Split image showing strong winds over the UK on a forecast map and widespread rain and snow on a weather radar map.
Tuesday, 27 January 2026

Severe gales & heavy rain

Storm Chandra makes impact
Bright and warm conditions take hold. Spring-like outlook. . . Thursday, 23 April 2026
Split UK map showing warm temperatures up to 21 degrees in orange on the left and clear sunny conditions with temperatures from 12 to 18 degrees on the right, with sun icons across the country.
Thursday, 23 April 2026

Spring-like outlook

Bright and warm conditions take hold
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwittertikToklinkList