As a gardener there are a lot of things that you can do to protect your flowering shrubs and fruit bearing trees and shrubs from frost damage in the early spring. Of course the size of the plants determines how much you can do and be successful.
Balsam plants, with their delicate flowers that come in brilliant shades of pink, red purple and white, are a beloved addition to many gardens. However, these tender annuals are highly susceptible to damage from frost and freezing temperatures. When winter weather arrives, frost can quickly destroy balsam plants if they are not properly protected.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know to safeguard your prized balsam plants from the damaging effects of frost and extend their lifespan well into the colder months.
Understanding How Frost Harms Balsam Plants
Before diving into specific protection methods, it’s helpful to understand exactly how frost impacts these delicate plants at a cellular level. Here’s a quick overview:
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Frost forms when temperatures drop below freezing 32°F (0°C) It often occurs on clear, calm nights
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As the temperature plummets, moisture in the air freezes on all surfaces, including plant leaves and stems.
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The formation of frost crystals ruptures cells within the plant, causing damage.
Balsam plants are especially vulnerable because they have thin, tender foliage and stems. The frozen moisture can quickly destroy their cell structure. Signs of frost damage include wilted, mushy, blackened leaves and flowers.
By protecting plants properly before frost strikes, you can prevent this cellular damage and help your balsams survive.
Monitor Weather Forecasts Diligently
The first line of defense is vigilantly monitoring weather forecasts, particularly overnight lows. Watch for frost advisories and prepare to take action whenever freezing temperatures are predicted.
Depending on your region, frost can strike anytime from late summer through winter. Be especially alert during fall when plants are still actively growing. Spring-flowering balsams are also at risk if a late frost hits.
By knowing frost is coming, you can proactively protect plants. Don’t wait until you see crystals forming to take action!
Provide a Warm, Cozy Blanket
One of the easiest ways to shield plants is to literally tuck them in for the night with a protective blanket or fabric cover.
Ideal materials are breathable fabrics like burlap, old sheets, gardening fleeces, or lightweight row covers. Avoid plastic sheeting – it traps in moisture which can do more harm than good.
Drape the cover completely over plants, securing the edges with weights like rocks or garden staples so it doesn’t blow away. The blanket helps insulate plants and retain heat radiating from the soil.
Remove the cover daily so plants can receive sunlight and air circulation. Re-cover at dusk when frost threatens. This might need to continue for weeks until the cold snap passes.
Insulate Soil with a Loose Mulch Layer
Adding a 2-4 inch layer of loose mulch around balsams provides insulation for roots and prevents soil frost. Organic mulches like bark chips, shredded leaves, straw, or pine needles work great.
The extra insulation from mulch maintains warmer temperatures around root zones and protects plants from frost heaving, which can loosen and damage roots.
Water Well Before Frost Hits
Moist soil holds heat more effectively than dry soil. For this reason, be sure to water balsam plants thoroughly before cold nights.
Avoid overwatering, however, which leads to excess moisture on leaves and stems. Stick with a deep watering schedule of once or twice a week.
Potted plants should be moved under cover on frost nights since their roots are more exposed. Keep soil moist but not soggy for container-grown balsams.
Add Nighttime Heat Sources
For additional protection during a hard freeze, small outdoor heaters or strings of old-fashioned incandescent holiday lights can provide heat.
Avoid fire hazards by situating heat sources a safe distance from plants. Never leave open flames unattended or use indoors due to risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Choose Cold-Hardy Varieties
While most balsams are quite tender, some newer hybrids have been bred to withstand cooler temperatures. Look for selections labeled “cold tolerant” or “frost resistant.”
Ask at your local nursery for variety recommendations that grow well in your specific USDA Hardiness Zone. Choosing naturally resilient plants saves you trouble.
Grow Balsams in Protected Areas
For a head start, situate balsam beds and containers in sheltered spots protected from wind and cold pockets. Near foundations, against sunny walls, or underneath trees and shrubs can provide better insulation.
Portable container plants can be easily relocated into frost-free spaces like garages or porches when needed. Just make sure they receive adequate sunlight.
Timely Fall Pruning Promotes Hardiness
Pruning balsams by early fall helps remove old, damaged growth and encourages new buds to harden off properly. Well-hardened plants better withstand cold snaps.
Cut back leggy stems, deadhead spent flowers, and remove yellowing leaves. This tidy up primes plants for winter survival.
Be Ready to Transplant Indoors
If frost persists for many weeks in your area, transplanting balsam plants into containers to grow indoors is an option.
Select young, healthy plants and root balls. Replant them in pots with fertile potting mix, water thoroughly, and place in a warm, sunny indoor spot.
Continue caring for indoor balsams until spring when you can transition them back outside after the danger of frost has passed.
Add Companion Radishes for Living Mulch
Growing radishes alongside balsams serves two useful purposes. First, the radishes act as a living mulch, protecting soil from frost. Their foliage insulates the ground and their roots add organic matter.
Secondly, the radishes can be harvested all winter long! Just be careful not to damage balsam roots when digging.
Protect Root Zones with Styrofoam Cups
For stubborn plants growing in garden beds, an added shield of protection for roots can be provided by placing large Styrofoam cups (16 oz or larger) upside down over the base of plants. Push cups an inch or two into the ground. This safeguards the crown and root zone from frost penetration while still allowing rainfall and watering.
Be Ready to Provide Emergency Care
Even if you take every precaution, a freak early or late frost can still take you by surprise and damage balsam plants. Take action right away before the damage worsens:
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Gently brush off any frost crystals still clinging to leaves and stems using a soft broom. Handle plants carefully to avoid snapping brittle frozen tissue.
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Water lightly to stabilize plants and add moisture lost through frozen cells. Avoid overwatering frozen roots.
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Don’t prune or remove damaged parts yet. Wait 2-3 days for the extent of injury to be apparent.
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Shield plants from direct sun which can scorch frosted leaves. Filtered light is best.
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If leaves recover, watch for signs of transplant shock like wilting. Water judiciously and consider using frost blankets for added protection as plants heal.
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Preventative frost protection will be essential going forward since stressed plants become more cold sensitive.
Enjoy Balsams Indoors Over Winter
If outdoor conditions will remain cold and frosty for months on end where you live, digging up a few favorite balsam plants to overwinter indoors is an option. This protects them fully from frost damage.
Here’s a quick step-by-step guide:
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On a frost-free autumn day, gently dig up plants trying to keep roots intact.
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Replant into containers with fertile indoor potting mix, then water well.
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Prune back balsams by 1/3 to reduce stress on roots and promote bushy regrowth indoors.
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Place in a warm, sunny indoor location. South-facing windowsills are ideal. Continue watering whenever soil dries out slightly.
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Rotate plants periodically so all sides receive even light. Pinch back new growth to encourage lush branching.
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Transition back outdoors in spring after the last frost date has safely passed. Gradually introduce to direct sun over a week or two to avoid shock. Enjoy their renewed bountiful blooms!
Remain Vigilant and Don’t Give Up Hope!
Freezing weather can be disheartening but don’t assume frost-bitten balsams are goners. Follow the tips above to optimize their chances of recovery. With prompt care and adequate protection, even delicate balsams can persevere through cold snaps.
Remain watchful for weather forecasts signaling the return of frost. Consistent diligence and preventative action are key to safeguarding your balsam plants. As with any endeavor, experience brings wisdom. Learn from each winter to continually improve your frost protection techniques.
The extra effort required to shield balsams from frost damage is worthwhile when you consider their exceptional beauty in the garden. Their cheery flowers in summer and fall bring joy, and their versatility makes balsams easy to work into any landscape or container arrangement. A bit of maintenance when frost looms gives us many more months to appreciate their vibrant charm.
With these comprehensive frost protection strategies, you can now overwinter
Add water, create ice, add more water!
Strawberry growers, apple growers and I’m sure other warmers actually water their fruit crops early in the morning before the sun comes up in a effort to wash off the frost before the sun hits it. Apparently the frost on the bloom isn’t near as damaging as the sun hitting a bloom that is covered with frost. I’m not sure what the scientific reason is, but I do know that it works. They start watering before the sun comes up and often times the water freezes on the plants creating ice formations. The farmers just continue to apply more water over the ice until it warms to the point that the ice melts. As long as they keep apply water until the temperatures rise, all is well. Sounds crazy I know, but it works.
Create a breeze to keep the frost aloft.
Farmers who grow fruit crops for a living must take an aggressive approach to controlling frost damage if and when they can. In the grape vineyards here in Ohio they figured out that if you can keep the air moving over the vineyards that often enough to keep frost from settling in. So many of the grape growers have stands built at the end of the vineyard that support airplane engines propeller and all. On nights when frost is predicted they start up the airplane engines and run them at fairly high speed to create artificial air flow over the vineyards.
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FAQ
What is the best thing to cover plants with during a freeze?
Will plastic garbage bags protect plants from frost?
Do I need to cover plants at 30 degrees?
At what temperature should you cover your plants at night?
How to care for garden balsam?
During the blooming, feel free to water regularly but not too much to keep just the right moisture level. Garden balsam is among the cute spring and summer blooming flowers. You can thus decorate your flower beds, garden boxes and pots for many a month in a row. Image credits (edits Gaspard Lorthiois): Pixabay: Hartono Subagio, varun-saa
Can you plant a balsam plant in a plot?
Sowing balsam For impatiens purchased as seeds, you can sow directly in the plotfrom April onwards but be careful in case of frost spells to protect your seedlings. If you want to plant impatiens in the sun, select sunpatiens. Caring for and pruning balsam Balsam care is child’s play and no pruning is actually required.
How do you grow Balsam in a garden?
Plant garden balsam in partial shade for the best blooms. It will tolerate full sun as long as it gets plenty of water or some shade in the afternoon. Plant it in rich, well-draining soil. It grows well in containers on patios or balconies or in garden beds, where it adds color and a pleasant fragrance to mixed beds and borders.
Can balsam grow in the Sun?
You can still try to make balsam grow in the sun, but it will need time to adjust. For example, tie a light cloth to stakes or poles to cover the plants from midday sun. You won’t need to do this forever, only for a couple weeks. That way, the plants have time to grow roots in the soil around them.