CHI Good Questions: Protecting Flowers During Cold Weather?

Christian sent us an email: Help! Due to warm weather my Jonquils and Tuilps have started to appear above the ground. However, last night the temperature dropped down into the teens and today we are going to get at least two inches of snow with some freezing rain on top of that. Would should I do to protect my flowers?

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Christian, fellow AT: Chicago edtor Jessica came through with this answer to your question: there is something called a "cold frame" that can be used for protecting plants during cold weather. Here is the wikipedia entry for a cold frame and

Has anyone tried a cold frame with success? Did you buy it or do a DIY construction? Any other info oncold frames or other methods of protecting the flowers is appreciated - let Christian know in the comments...

Photo: espanol/familiesonlinemagazine.com

Comments (5)

Cloches could help too, assuming you don't have a huge area to cover. Some people use glass jars rather than the overpriced garden cloches you see in specialty shops.

posted by Lisa Hunter on March 3rd 2008 at 12:21pm
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If the flowers aren't full-grown, you could just cover them with something warming. My mum usually puts fir branches on the ground where she has planted the bulbs. Keeps them from freezing.

But if the flowers are already on bloom... could be more difficult.

posted by Lilli K. on March 3rd 2008 at 1:45pm
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Bulbs are pretty hardy plants. Even if the first batch of leaves gets frozen, they're unlikely to die. They'll just grow more. As long as the bulb is in an appropriate climate zone and is actually planted in the ground, odds are it will survive even an extraordinarily severe winter. Even if there are a half dozen warm and sunny spells to confuse the poor plant, it should handle things fine.

The point where you start to worry is if they are trying to flower. That takes lots of energy, so the bulb may not have reserves for more leaves.

(Are you sure the bulbs you have are for your climate zone? I wouldn't expect much besides snowdrops and maybe crocuses to be trying this early... and that's from experience at least 1 climate zone south of Chicago.)

posted by Torrilin on March 4th 2008 at 2:37am
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I cut a milk jug in half. The bottom half is where I plant my seedlings and the top half is put back on like a cover to act as a greenhouse.

When it is time to plant, or if in your case, you have bulbs coming up before they should, I use the top half to cover the plants and protect them from the frost.

Works like a charm.

P.s. Minneapolis, here

posted by kav122 on March 4th 2008 at 5:30am
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Thank you so much everybody. I appreciate the help....the strange weather is still happening. 70s yesterday and the day before 30s and 40s today.
The flowers have not started to bloom...the Jonquils are 2" out of the ground and the tulips are about 1" out of the ground. I think I will try the ground cover option. I'll let you know how it goes.
Thanks

posted by cricketchirp on March 4th 2008 at 7:16am
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