How to Prepare Your Garden for the First Frost

Protect your garden from frost damage by covering tender plants, harvesting remaining crops, draining water systems, and moving potted plants indoors before the first freeze arrives.

1. Watch for Frost Warnings Early. Monitor local weather reports for frost warnings, typically when nighttime temperatures drop to 32°F or below. Frost usually occurs on clear, calm nights when heat radiates away from the ground quickly. Start preparations 2-3 days before the predicted frost date to avoid rushing.
2. Save Everything Before Freezing. Pick all remaining tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, squash, and herbs like basil before they freeze. Green tomatoes will ripen indoors if stored in a cool, dark place. Cut herbs and freeze or dry them for winter use. Leave cold-hardy vegetables like kale, Brussels sprouts, and carrots in the ground as frost actually improves their flavor.
3. Shield Plants From Freezing Night. Protect sensitive plants with frost cloth, old bedsheets, or burlap. Avoid plastic sheeting as it conducts cold and can damage plants. Drape covers over plants in the evening and remove them the next morning after temperatures rise. For extra protection, place gallon jugs filled with water near plants under the covers to radiate heat overnight.
4. Prevent Frozen Pipe Damage. Turn off water to outdoor spigots and drain all hoses, sprinklers, and irrigation lines. Water expands when frozen and will crack pipes, fittings, and hose connections. Store hoses in a garage or basement. If you have an irrigation system, run the blow-out cycle or hire a professional to winterize it properly.
5. Bring Containers Inside Now. Bring container plants, hanging baskets, and potted herbs inside to a garage, basement, or sunny window. Check plants for insects before bringing them indoors to avoid introducing pests to your house. Group plants together in the warmest, brightest spot available and reduce watering frequency as growth slows in winter.
6. Insulate Roots From Deep Cold. Apply a 3-4 inch layer of mulch around the base of perennial plants, roses, and newly planted trees. Use shredded leaves, straw, or wood chips to insulate plant roots and crowns from freezing temperatures. Keep mulch a few inches away from plant stems to prevent rot and pest problems.
7. Wrap and Hydrate for Survival. Wrap young or tender tree trunks with burlap or tree wrap to prevent frost cracks and sun scald. For small shrubs, create windbreaks using burlap screens or move potted specimens to sheltered locations. Water trees and shrubs deeply before the ground freezes, as hydrated plants handle cold stress better than dry ones.