Seasonal TipsDon't Let One Cold Night Win — How to Cover Your Plants
Sales Director & Design Expert · April 8, 2026
It only takes one cold night to undo a lot of good work. The fix? Simple. Cover your plants — just make sure you're using the right materials.
Here's What Works
The goal is simple: trap heat without crushing the plant.
- ✓ Frost Cloth / Row Cover: The gold standard. Lightweight, breathable, and designed for this exact job. Best protection without overheating.
- ✓ Old Sheets or Light Blankets: Easy and effective. Most people already have them. Just keep them off the foliage if possible.
- ✓ Cardboard Boxes: Perfect for quick overnight protection on small plants. Trap heat well — remove in the morning.
- ✓ Upside-Down Pots or Totes: Great for individual plants or patio containers. Simple. Fast. Works in a pinch.
Skip These
Plastic (by itself). Seems like a good idea, until it's not. Plastic traps moisture and cold against the leaves and can actually make damage worse. If you use plastic, layer it over fabric — not directly on the plant.
Pro Tip (from the growers)
- ✓ Cover before sunset to trap the day's warmth.
- ✓ Uncover in the morning once temps rise.
That little bit of timing? Makes all the difference.
Hoosier Tip
Keep a frost cloth on hand from late April through Mother's Day. One $15 cover from a local garden center will save you from replanting an entire container.
Reference: Purdue University Extension — Indiana gardening resources
