How to protect garden plants from winter damage

Gardeners can step in to protect plants by spreading a layer of mulch over their plants’ roots. Mulch will insulate the soil, keeping it at a steady temperature, avoiding extremes of both cold and warmth. “Sudden warm spells in late winter are a major danger to our plants,” Yiesla said. “Unless the soil is insulated, a day in the 50s or 60s can warm up the ground and trick plants into coming out of dormancy.” Premature sprouts or buds that opened too soon will be vulnerable when the weather changes, as it will, and the cold strikes back.