We only protect outdoor plants from frost in winter and forget about other things that harm them

The winter period is necessary for most plants to go through a resting phase to allow them to develop properly. As long as they have been properly fed during the season and well prepared for winter, they should have no problems surviving the harsh winter conditions. Sometimes, however, even care is not enough, especially when winter threats such as frost or wind await the plants.

Frost

Consider frost tolerance when selecting plants and dividing them for the garden. This is especially true for exotic species (many of which are native to Asian countries). In addition, frost causes the greatest losses:

• in young plants (they have weak, not fully developed root and immune systems)
• with species that have been damaged in the fall (they may have damaged roots and, in some cases, have little time to acclimate between fall and winter)
• with plants growing in wetlands or excessively moist soil (even hardy species are at risk under such conditions)

  

Physiological drought (common in evergreen plants)

Conifers and deciduous plants lose water during winter, which evaporates. This causes the cavities to dry out and they are physiologically unable to draw water even when they do receive it. Another factor that affects the root absorption capacity is salt spreading. Plants without water turn brown and subsequently die. In conifers, physiological drought is more dangerous than lack of fertiliser, fungal diseases or pests. As a result, they lose not only their needles but also their decorative appearance. Therefore, water the plants sufficiently in autumn (not during frosts) and also fertilise them.

The Wind

Plants often die in the springtime due to freezing winds, especially those on the east side. It is for this reason that when planting, think about which plants you place on which side of the world. Plant susceptible species in secluded and sheltered locations, while frost-resistant plants should be planted on the eastern side. There is a wide range of protective mats on the market to protect small plants, for example on the terrace.