Gardeners urged to do one simple thing the moment it snows to protect their plants

The winter is approaching and are being urged to do a simple task the moment it snows.

Cold can damage trees, and hedges and as well as improving shelter for plants and mulching, garden experts say damage can be prevented if conditions turn wintry. recommends steps be taken to reduce the effect on you plants..

It suggests pruning hedges to a tapered shape which will stop any damage caused by snowfall. Heavy flurries will weigh down you trees and hedges and can lead to breakages which are difficult to repair.

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The says: "If snow sits on hedges or the crowns of trees there is a danger of branches breaking. Shake off excess snow as it starts to build up on branches, and prune hedges to taper at the top to minimise snow damage."

It also says tender plants can be 'overwintered outside' if they have suitable . But in exposed areas, plants which are stronger and hardier may cover from the elements. The RSA says evergreen plants and pot plants are at particular risk, so require special attention.

Wrappings to protect plants should should be added when their is a sign of frost. Long-term planning for shelter belts or moving new plants can be done at any time rather than the winter. Trees and shrubs have different ways of adapting to the winter.

Guy Barker at the 'I' said: "Deciduous trees go into dormancy, which is similar to hibernation in animals. Trees have sophisticated mechanismsto measure time and the spectral quality of light, with red light being crucial, and once a critical day length is reached, dormancy is irrevocably set in motion – although street lights can delay its onset and therefore the onset of autumn colour, too."

Despite the first frosts being just around the corner, there’s no need to panic as there’s a cheap and easy expert-approved hack that you can use to protect your plants - and it will only cost you pennies. expert, Josh Novell, told : “'Bubble wrap works well as a cost effective solution, as well as being a great way to make use of any early online shopping.”

He added: “It works well because the air pockets in bubble wrap create a layer of insulation that protects your delicate outdoor plants from cold temperatures.

He went on to say: “Ensure you use twine, tape or string to secure it in place. It should be secure enough not to blow away but ideally removable for the occasional warm day to allow the plant to get some fresh air and winter sunlight."

The hack he says does work but also warned using bubble wrap is a ‘temporary solution’ and suggests covering your plants in the covering overnight but removing the wrapping each morning, to ‘allow air and water to reach the plant’.