Protection against frost
Ornamental plants grown here in the ground are usually characterized by a fairly long growing season, so they have to be planted relatively sooner, so that they can bloom in time. Therefore, they are sometimes exposed to spring frosts, which occur in Poland in April, and even in May. Such frosts can cause great losses, so you must always have materials and equipment ready, which make it possible to protect plants against them.
Straw mats placed on scaffoldings can be used to protect plants against frosts, clip-on windows, which sets itself over the beds, yes, to form a roof or portable frame boxes. Paper caps can be used on a small area, and with low plants - upside down pots. However, covers made of polyethylene foil deserve the greatest recommendation, unfolded on scaffolding. The simplest scaffolding can be hazel rods with the ends driven in on both sides of the bed, so that they form an arc over it.
The foil is spread over them, by fixing its edges with stones or bricks, so that it is not torn by the wind.
Smoke screens produced by burning wet hay also give quite good results, straw or haulm. This material should be distributed in piles between the beds on the side of the wind blowing. Smoke drifting on the ground protects a little against a drop in temperature.
The negative effects of cold weather are now easily prevented, because messages about the possibility of frosts are given by radio, thus the likelihood of surprise is lower.
However, if it does happen, that the plants were frozen, you can try to save them by sprinkling copiously with cold water and careful shading.
Winter preservation
Some perennials that are grown in the ground require a cover for the winter. It is needed not only for protection against frost, but also against the drying effects of the wind, excessive humidity and against large temperature fluctuations; especially the latter can cause damage, because at the end of winter, the strongly warming sun may cause the plant to switch on the juices too early, and then it freezes much more easily when the temperature is lowered.
The plants that need protection for the winter include, first of all, roses. Bulbs also require it, especially hyacinths and biennials, like pansies, daisies and others.
For covering, materials that are well-breathable are used, non-heating and non-rotting. Usually dry leaves are used for this purpose, straw, twigs of conifers and peat. Normal soil is also used to protect the roses, rose bushes are eaten in the mound.
Plants that require protection are only then covered, when the ground starts to freeze. It should not be covered after rain, when the ground is very wet, Also, do not use wet materials, as it would make the plants rot.
The cover is removed in March-April, on cloudy days, so as not to expose the beautiful plants to being scorched by the sun.
Recommendations for the covering of individual plants and its technique are discussed in the descriptions of their cultivation.