British Garden Centres essential guide to plant protection

Even though we are now in spring. protecting your plants over the next few weeks is essential to ensure a healthy and vibrant garden as we transition into summer.

Despite the longer daylight hours and rising temperatures, we all know the UK weather can be unpredictable, with late frosts, cold winds, and pests posing threats to young and tender plants. The team at British Garden Centres has put together a guide on steps to take to protect your plants to ensure they continue to thrive.

Protective covers

One of the most effective ways to shield plants from cold snaps and pests is by using protective covers such as cloches and horticultural fleece. Cloches, which can be made from polythene, plastic, or wire hoops, provide instant protection by creating a microclimate around individual plants in your garden or vegetable patch. Cloches can help retain heat and shield plants from wind and frost damage in the UK climate.

For larger areas, horticultural fleece or polytunnels can be draped over beds to protect vegetables, bedding plants, and fruit crops from chilling winds and light frost. Horticultural fleece can also help container plants when wrapped around the pots in any unexpected low temperatures at night.

Mulching

Applying a thick layer of mulch around plants helps insulate the soil during cold snaps and also protects slow-growing plants during cold spells, and helps retain soil moisture. Applying mulch to garden beds or containers helps prevent weed growth while also enriching the soil and providing nutrients to your plants. Mulching reduces the need for frequent watering and, as it decomposes, it improves soil quality.

There are various types of mulch that break down slowly, releasing beneficial nutrients into the soil, including leaf mould, compost, and bark chips. You can also try mulching with slate, pebbles, eggshells, seashells, and gravel.

Mulch can be applied at any time throughout the year to support plant health and garden maintenance

Greenhouses and cold frames

While greenhouses and cold frames offer shelter, temperatures inside can still drop below optimal levels for plant growth, especially at night. Plants need a minimum night temperature of around 10ºC to thrive so ensure your greenhouse is well insulated by sealing cracks, replacing broken panes, and adding bubble wrap to windows and walls for extra heat retention.

Protect from the wind

Wind can dry out plants rapidly, so shelter and install some windbreaks around vulnerable areas, such as balconies, decks, or patios, can reduce exposure and keep your plants away from any harm. If you have container plants, then we recommend moving them indoors or grouping them near a wall if strong winds are forecast.

Pest prevention

To protect your plants from spring pests naturally, we recommend you do so with physical barriers and deterrents.  Row covers can block pests from reaching plants, while copper tape and crushed eggshells deter slugs and snails from nibbling on your plants. Companion planting with marigolds, rosemary, and basil can also help. 

Encourage natural predators such as ladybirds and beetles by creating or buying hotels and wildflower patches to maintain a balanced ecosystem in your garden.

For more persistent pest problems, consider organic sprays or sticky traps.  Check your plants regularly and handpick pests such as slugs and caterpillars during the early morning or evening.

Julian Palphramand, Head of Plants at British Garden Centres, said: “Plant protection is crucial in May because it is a key time when gardeners are actively planting and nurturing their gardens. Protecting plants now ensures they thrive through the growing season, and we’ve got all the products you need to help keep pests and weather at bay. “

British Garden Centres (BGC) is the UK’s largest family-owned garden centre group with 73 centres around the country. The group is owned and led by the Stubbs family, who also own and operate Woodthorpe Leisure Park in Lincolnshire.