It's suppose to be 15 degree Wednesday morning. I would like to cover a few trees outside but not sure what to use. I saw these for the first at Lowes, it's called a Frost Blanket. I like trying new things so I bought one. The pack says it keeps plants 6 to 8 degrees warmer. Here's a pic. Anyone else use these?


thanks,

The blanket plus a 60 watt bulb perhaps.   Should be plenty to protect your trees. It worked for me two years ago in order to save blossoms from a hard freeze over 6 days, for my entire orchard.

Good luck Dennis

Scott

Never tried that product but I do keep
a 50' roll of this stuff around.

http://www.groworganic.com/agribon-ag-50-83-x-50.html

Got a bit frisky with the tomato plant out last year and it
saved me.

Paul

Sounds like it works and should be affordable for a few plants.

Hey Paul, I like that product in the link you posted. I got some 3g trees on my deck I'd like to cover up. I'm gonna get some and try it out. It's big enough and cheaper.....I think.

Hi snaglpus,
If setup correctly, those help.
The problem is that wind will blow through and will untie it if not properly secured. That done, it will rub and rub on the tree and that will wound the tree.
So first tie the branches of the tree to its center and then apply the cover.
Other problem, if your tree is a bit too big, how would you protect it ? Are roots more important than the canopy ? Or canopy more ?
Good luck.
I prefer use big bags - some neighbors used some unused dark trash bags
PS: if snow or water+frost comes in, do not forget to check and remove the snow/ice that stays on the cover, to avoid overweight problems on the canopy. Or the branches may break.

Thanks JDS, I'm just bored and playing around with these blankets. I got around 60 or 80 3gal fig trees on my deck. They are barely 12 inches tall. I got 2 frost blankets and 1 frost bag. The bag is 10 feet by 12 feet. I haven't even taken them out of the bag yet.

Surprisely, 2 out of 3 - 5' tall Mary Lane figs in 5g self watering pots, survived 5 degree weather twice in one month last year. My MLs also fruited last year----they're pretty hardy! And those inside my unheated metal shed survived. What kills figs is the wind and long standing freezing temperatures over time. Our climate gets cold, then it warms up in the 40s or 50s. January always gives us bone chilling freezing temperatures. We also get lots of rain here. For instance, it's been raining since yesterday and now the freeze is coming.....not good.

This year, I'm bringing in my MLs. I just moved them to my back door. But those in 3g will have to stay outside and I want to protect them. They are all Celeste and Brown Turkey. I like all figs! Most fig trees get better over time.

Hanging Christmas lights in your trees before covering with the blanket (and turning them on, of course) will add even more protection.  Make sure the lights are well within the canopy.  If a light touches the blanket it may melt it.