October isn’t too early to begin thinking about winter prep for your nursery. For commercial growers, protecting potted plants, shrubs, and high-value inventory from frost, wind, and winter desiccation isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about safeguarding months of labor, investment, and potential sales.
Even in regions with mild early falls, cold snaps can come unexpectedly. A single night below freezing can damage tender foliage, stunt growth, or even render plants unsalable. Planning ahead now ensures your nursery can weather the season with minimal loss and keep your stock market-ready through the late fall and early winter.
Key Winterization Strategies
- Insulate with Frost Blankets and Row Covers
DeWitt’s N-Sulate Frost Blankets are an ideal first line of defense. Lightweight yet durable, these blankets can be draped over shrubs, small trees, or potted plants to retain heat and shield them from frost. Use them during early morning or overnight hours when temperatures are most critical.
These covers create a protective microclimate, trapping warmth while still allowing light, air, and moisture to reach your plants. Proper tensioning and anchoring ensure the fabric doesn’t blow away and that cold air doesn’t sneak underneath.
The N-Sulate (or also Supreme) offer on average about 6-8 degrees of protection, meaning that whatever the outside temperature is, you can add 6-8 degrees to that when using this fabric. For additional protection, consider Ultimate Plant Protection Fabric. This fabric will provide approximately 10 degrees of protection.
Practical Tip: Make a routine inspection schedule to adjust row covers as the season progresses. Check for areas where cold air can enter or fabric edges lifting in high winds.
- Burlap Wrapping for Larger Trees and Shrubs
Evergreens like arborvitae, boxwood, and hollies are particularly vulnerable to winter burn from harsh winds and fluctuating temperatures. DeWitt offers natural burlap rolls and squares, perfect for wrapping large shrubs or balled-and-burlapped trees. Burlap protects foliage from wind desiccation while still letting the plant breathe.
Practical Tip: Wrap plants loosely to allow airflow and prevent mold buildup. Secure burlap at the base with twine or bungee straps for stability, but leave room for plant growth and snow expansion.
- Reflective Ground Covers to Maintain Root Zone Temperature
For container-grown stock, placing reflective ground covers underneath can help stabilize soil temperatures. DeWitt’s Reflective White/Black Ground Cover works well here: the white top reflects light back into the plant canopy, while the black underside blocks weeds. Permeable fabric ensures water drains while still buffering against heat loss during colder nights.
Practical Tip: Align the stripes on the reflective fabric with plant rows to maximize light reflection and aid in plant alignment during planting or repositioning.
- Strategic Layout and Grouping
Grouping plants together can create a natural microclimate, reducing heat loss and protecting roots from frost. Consider arranging potted plants by size, species, or frost tolerance to maximize efficiency when covering with frost blankets or burlap.
Practical Tip: Elevate plants slightly using pallets or benches to improve air circulation and reduce waterlogging risks during early freezes.
- Cold Frames for High-Value or Sensitive Crops
Cold frames act as miniature greenhouses, trapping heat and protecting plants from frost while still allowing light, air, and water to reach crops. Key considerations include:
- Position frames to maximize southern exposure
- Use reflective ground covers underneath crops to boost light distribution
- Add removable insulation at night for extreme temperature drops
Even a simple, well-constructed cold frame can extend your growing window by 2–4 weeks—critical for specialty crops or high-value nursery stock.
- Additional Fall Prep Tactics
- Mulching: Use organic or synthetic mulch to stabilize soil temperature and prevent frost penetration. Mulch also reduces water evaporation during cold, dry winds.
- Irrigation Timing: Water plants during the day before a cold night. Moist soil holds heat better, releasing latent warmth as temperatures drop.
- Inventory Rotation: Move vulnerable potted plants to protected areas such as greenhouses, hoop houses, or under shade structures to reduce exposure to early frost.
- Crop Planning: For late-season plantings, choose frost-tolerant species and consider succession planting strategies to maintain sales continuity through fall.
The Bottom Line
Winter prep should be seen as a strategic investment in your nursery’s profitability. By combining frost blankets, row covers, burlap wraps, reflective ground covers, and cold frames, you can:
- Prevent frost damage and winter burn
- Reduce emergency labor needs and minimize replanting
- Maintain plant quality for sale through late fall and early winter
- Maximize operational efficiency and client satisfaction
Starting your winter prep in October allows you to act proactively instead of reactively, ensuring every plant is positioned to survive the season and thrive in the spring. With DeWitt products, commercial growers can confidently safeguard their inventory, reduce losses, and maintain peak nursery performance through the colder months.