Daily gardening tip · Northern hemisphere · Saturday 24 October 2026 · mid autumn
Wrap Tender Plants in Fleece for Winter
Mid-autumn frosts can kill the central growing point of tender perennial plants if left unprotected.
20 minuteseasyfrost protection
Gather horticultural fleece and soft garden twine.
Pack dry straw or dead leaves gently around the central crown of the plant.
Wrap two or three layers of fleece around the trunk and crown.
Tie the fleece securely with twine so autumn winds cannot blow it off.
Why it works
Tender plants like bananas and tree ferns grow from a central point called the crown. Trapping air with straw and fleece insulates this vulnerable growing tip from freezing temperatures, keeping moisture and frost out while allowing the plant to breathe.
An evergreen shrub or small tree native to warm regions, valued for its dense, glossy foliage and highly fragrant white blossoms. The star-shaped flowers release a sweet orange-blossom scent and are followed by small, decorative red berries
