Commercial Frost Cloth
Commercial Frost Cloth
Commercial Frost Cloth
Commercial Frost Cloth

Commercial Frost Cloth

$262.98


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Our Commercial Frost Cloth is a 2.5 ounce geotextile fabric that is used to protect plants and trees from frost damage during cold months. This fabric allows water and air to flow through it and also manufactured with built in UV inhibitors. All seams are sewn, not glued, for a higher quality performance.

The Commercial Frost Cloth helps to increase the season for flowering and harvesting by keeping the temperature underneath it higher than the ambient temperature. This spunbound fabric is available in various roll size options to fit a number of applications.

Product Specifics

  • Material:  Polypropylene
  • Size: Various
  • Free Shipping
  • Need a Written Quote?
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  • Volume Pricing Available - orders $6,500+
  • Questions? Call (800) 520-7731

Frost Protection Fabrics

  • Resists UV degradation
  • Allows air, water, and nutrients to pass through the fabric
  • Keeps air below fabric warmer than air outside of it

 Specification Sheet Download

Shipping

  • Ships for Free (standard ground, see map)
  • Expedited shipping only available on orders over $2,000 
         Call: (800) 520-7731 for pricing and ship times

Shipping estimates shown on the map pertain to this specific product only. Frost Protectoin Fabric orders typically ship same day if the order is placed before 12:00 noon CST. Transit times displayed in the map are listed in business days, and are approximate. Transit times are subject to stock levels at regional warehouses.  The day that the order is shipped is not counted as a transit day.

Some Great Ideas To Protect Your Plants From Frost

It's a definite challenge for gardeners to deal with icy, frosty weather. This doesn't mean your plants have to die. There are remedies that are inexpensive to protect your plants in the garden. You will have to make some preparations and be a little creative. There are row covers and with good planning where certain plants should be placed. There are some steps to take for protecting your plants from frost that will help you out. First off, not all regions suffer from frost but if your location does, it's a good idea to get some tips for a longer growing season.

If you live where frost is inevitable, take the time to cover your plants to protect them ahead of time. We will give you some great tips in this article.

Covered Plants

Plant Frost Protection in Place

How Frost Can Damage Your Plants

If your temperature drops to 32°F or below, ice crystals will form on your plants cells which is usually located in their leaves. When this happens, it prevents the plants from providing water or nutrients. Also, frost that damages leaves or plant tissue will cause the plants to become soggy and soaked with water. Usually, the plants will appear darker in color, become thick, and limp while other plants will turn brown or look scorched. Young plants are often the first to become damaged by frost. You need to pay attention if your local weather is predicting a cold snap and be prepared for it.

Frost usually hits new growth and outer leaves but many plants can bounce back because they are not dead. Perennials and trees that are tolerant to cold will become dormant during the winter months. They will brace for the cold weather and will shed their leaves. When spring arrives they will develop new growth. Some plants actually benefit from long periods of cold such as fruit trees so they can bear fruit. Some members of the brassica family actually increase in sweetness caused by frost.

Tender vs Hardy

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Good Steps for Protecting Plants

1 -Select plants that are good for your seasons

It's not practical to grow avocados or citrus if you live in zone 5 unless you plan to grow them in containers and spend a great deal of time babysitting them. There are plenty of fabulous fruits to chose from that thrive in colder temperatures and will take a lot less time to care for. Some good choices include apples, plums, and pears. Learn as much as possible about various fruits to get what will work best in your climate.

When it comes to annual vegetables, only grow what works in your zone for the upcoming season. Think tender warm season crops for the summer and hardy cold crops for the spring, fall, and winter. Choose your varieties well if you live in harsh temperatures such as spinach or kale. This is especially important if you want to extend the growing season. If you have a shorter growing season, you should choose plants that have a shorter maturity time. Choosing plants that mature faster will help maximize the harvest before the freezing temperatures arrive.

Plan Around Your Zone

Learn when you can expect the first and last frost dates and plan around these dates. Most vegetable seeds or seedlings come with instructions based on these dates including:

Transplant 2 weeks after last spring frost and cover them if frost shows up later. You should get a Homestead and Chill planting calendar to use as a guide Also, keep in mind that the average frost date is only that. There is no rule of thumb so don't assume the date is carved in concrete.

Frost Blankets on Plants

Plants with Frost Protection Blankets

2 -Harden Off Your Seedlings

Okay, you have spent a lot of time growing your seedlings indoors and now you are ready to get out there and plant them, but stop for a moment. Have you taken the time to harden your seedlings? If not, all your hard work could be a waste of time. Young seedlings are very sensitive to temperature changes versus those that are established. On top of that, if the seedlings were grown inside, they are even more sensitive. Always harden off your seedlings before moving them outside.

Hardening Off is a method to gradually introduce your seedlings to outdoor conditions over a period of time. Hardening off seedlings is a method to acclimate them to the outdoor elements. If seedlings have been raised indoor whether in a window or a greenhouse, they need to gradually become comfortable when moved outside. You should start this process for 7 to 14 days before planting them outside. Talk to your local nursery for good advice.

Day 1 and 2

Place the seedlings in a protected area. Leave them in the pots they came with. Choose a location that is not in direct sunlight and shield them from wind. Leave them in place for approximately 1 – 2 hours. Over the first few days.

Day 3 and 4

Help them increase their strength by adding an hour or two every other day. Gradually increase their outside time and if it rains, that's not a problem. At some point move them to the south side of your home or other structure for a little more sunlight.

Days 5 to 7

The process could take up to 10 days considering the time of year and the kind of plants. Toward the end of this process, these plants probably can be transferred in the ground toward the end of the hardening process.

Speak with your local nursery for other suggestions.

3 -Stay On Top Of Weather Forecasts

Fluctuations in weather can have a detrimental impact on your plants. You need to know the best time for transplanting, watering, and when you should take action. During the spring, an unexpected frost can destroy your heat loving crops like peppers. During the fall, an early freeze could kill your newly planted seedlings and tomato plants bearing fruit. Many gardeners in the north have year round hoops on their beds in case they need to get their plants covered.

Frozen Garden Beds

Garden Beds in Freezing Weather

4 – Covering Plants

If you expect frost might be around the corner, cover your plants. Especially tender or not so hardy plants. Grown cool season vegetables will take advantage of the protection from a cover when temperatures hit below freezing. Covering vulnerable plants will give them needed insulation and guard against icy moist air. Covers also help to warm up the soil to get you started on your summer garden.

Different Kinds Of Covers
Covers can be an old bed sheet, blanket, burlap, drop cloth, or even a sleeping bag to protect your plants from damage caused by frost. There are frost cover materials known as horticultural fleece or frost fabric. You can buy them in different sizes, shapes, and temperature ratings. You can take a large sheet or roll and cut it to fit your individual garden beds. If you live in a mild climate, use a somewhat lightweight frost cloth that's approximately 0.55 oz. For colder climates, you need a thicker cover like a 1.2 oz cloth or heavy-duty 1.5 oz material, or a frost cloth.

3 -Stay On Top Of Weather Forecasts

Fluctuations in weather can have a detrimental impact on your plants. You need to know the best time for transplanting, watering, and when you should take action. During the spring, an unexpected frost can destroy your heat loving crops like peppers. During the fall, an early freeze could kill your newly planted seedlings and tomato plants bearing fruit. Many gardeners in the north have year round hoops on their beds in case they need to get their plants covered.

There are frost covers that are designed and shaped to fit over shrubs and small trees as well. Sheets made from plastic, like greenhouse plastic, or tarps can be used in the same way as fabric row covers to protect plants from frost and snow. Also, when supported on hoops they are called polytunnels. Cloches are solid domes or bell shapes that will cover and protect individual plants and are usually made of clear plastic. Cloches are approximately 8 to 12 inches tall and come in multipacks. In most cases, they are durable and recyclable. Be creative by using average buckets, food storage containers, cut a milk jug, a 2-gallon soda bottle, or use other materials turning them into homemade covers. Being creative will also save on costs.

About Cold Frames
Cold frames are constructed to cover your plants and protect them from freezing weather. These frames look like miniature greenhouses made of transparent materials such as glass or clear plastic. You can create a simple cold frame by placing it low to the ground and close to your plants over your raised garden bed.

Flower in Winter

Winter Weather on a Flower

How To Use Cold Frames

You can use blankets, sheets or other materials that are slightly elevated over the plants and supporting them with stakes or hoops. This is an important step if using plastic sheeting to protect plants from potential frost. These covers should be in direct contact with your plants. These covers should be wet and frozen in order to transfer the elements to the plants sitting below.

You should secure the covers with clips, hoops, clothespins, binder clips or other clamps. Make sure you pin them down or tuck them in around the sides and bottoms as good as possible. These durable metal clips slip on the top sides of the raised beds These miniature clips are perfect for attaching row covers directly to the hoops. If you are in a a rush, you can apply frost covers directly on the plants as long as the material is lightweight and the plants are mature enough not to be harmed.

Be sure to place your covers over your plants in the evening when the weather is cold. You can leave transparent cloches, plastic sheets supported on loops and are specialized frost covers during the days as well. If you are using thick blankets, opaque sheets, or dark buckets, remove the covers during the day. You should pull them away during the late morning when temperatures are warmer so the plants can get sun and needed photosynthesis which is the process used by plants to convert light energy into chemical energy. Plants will be fine for a few days without sunlight but will be in a sad state over a longer period of time.

5 -Protect Your Planting Locations

Choose your locations carefully for plants that are sensitive to frost. It will make your life easier and keep plants protected in the area. You will save time and money and you won't have to care for them non-stop. Also, prevent placing tender perennial plants in open spaces. Exposing them to elements of cold air and windy conditions will harm them.

Pots do no have the same level of insulation for roots and soil as in-ground plants. You should wrap sensitive potted plants with blankets, horticultural fleece, or bubble wrap on really cold evening for more protection.

Look for or create a micro-climate in a yard. Its a location that offers atmospheric conditions that are different from the surrounding areas, and can be an area with only a few square feet. Consider planting trees or shrubs near a west or south-facing wall for radiant heat and a space that is several degrees warmer than other areas. This area will be able to block out chilly winds. Other objects like larger shrubs, fences, boulders, and canopy covers from trees will protect nearby plants. Sensitive plants that are tucked between mature trees and along west-facing fences will have protection. Sensitive plants include fig trees, avocado, bougainvillea, and loquat. Move tender plants that are potted inside. Place under eaves, against your house, or under the shelter of trees to protect them from frost. Mobility plays an important role for grown plants in containers.

Covering Plant

Commercial Frost Cloth Install

6 -Mulch

Apply a nice deep layer of mulch around shrubs, young trees, evergreens, or perennials to protect them from frost damage. Make sure it's approximately 4 inches deep. You can totally cover low-lying with fluffy mulch such as straw for a short period of time.

Mulch is a protective measure that insulates soil, holds in warmth, and prevents roots and the ground from freezing Mulch is also a good choice for potted plants. Some excellent mulches include compost, wood chips, chopped up leaves, small bark, and straw.

7 – Water Before Frost Hits

It might sound a little strange but watering your garden before an exceptionally cold evening can protect your plants from damage caused by frost. Thirsty, stressed-out plants are susceptible to frost damage. Damp soil offers excellent insulation, holds in heat and will not freeze as deeply as dry soil. If the forecast shows frost on the horizon, water your plants early during the day. The plants will be able to soak in the water and stay perky during the evening. Just keep in mind, do not over water it can leave the soil soggy which will lead to other issues and that goes for the garden as well.

When watering your garden be careful to only water the soil not the leaves on your plants. One method used to prevent frost in the agricultural industry is directly spraying plant foliage with water but this method is only really effective when the water is constantly sprayed throughout the evening during a freezing period using a sprinkler system not using a single application just before frost hits. When the spraying stops, the water droplets left on the leaves will freeze.

In A Nutshell

We have covered some great ideas to protect your plants from frost. Many of our tips are used by gardeners that have been around for quite some time now. If you follow some of these guidelines, the plants you have worked so hard to protect will thrive and produce the fruits and vegetables you are hoping for. Obviously, the colder your climate, the more caution must be used to keep your plants safe. If you are new to your present location, always check to know exactly what zone you are living in, keep up with the weather forecasts, and follow the instructions for that zone.