Protect tender plants with cloth tarps

When outside temperatures drop, you’ll want to check your garden for plants that need to be protected from frost. Many plants, including citrus, succulents, and other tender perennials are susceptible to damage when temperatures drop below freezing. To avoid dieback, prop frost blankets up on stakes or tomato cages around sensitive plants, making sure not to weigh them down. This will allow the plants to breathe even while covered, and keep branches from breaking under the weight of the blanket. Avoid using burlap or plastic tarps for this job, as they will not keep plants as warm as a frost blanket. If all you have are old sheets, use several layers on each plant to provide enough coverage. Frosts are few and far between during our coastal winters, but when they do come, your plants will thank you for taking the time to cover them!