Using a frost cloth to protect your plants in the winter

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It can getting bitterly cold at night here in the desert, and if you have tender tropicals, it's best to keep an eye on the forecast for the overnight low and have a frost cloth handy. I've been lazy a few seasons and paid for it with some damaged plants, and even some that died. Here are some tips for using frost cloths

• You don't need to invest in "frost cloth". Any old sheet will do. In the picture is a "bed skirt" that came with a comforter set. Or just any old sheet that has gotten too ratty even for the guest room will do. Just don't use anything plastic.

• You don't need to cover your plants if it's not going to get below freezing (32 F). It really won't do them any harm, but it's a waste of time. Keep an eye on the overnight lows - when it gets into the 20s, and especially when if it gets into the teens (which it has here in Glendale), go cover your plants.

• Keep your tender tropicals nearby. Down at the end of your driveway is no place for tender plants. Keep them in the backyard, where you can rush out at night, cover them up, and then rush out in the morning and uncover them.

• Uncover your plants in the morning. Frost cloths go on at night, and are taken off in the morning.

And that's it. You will only need to do this through the end of January.

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