Yes bubble wrap frost protection works excellently for your garden. Those little air pockets trap warmth in an amazing way. I started using it three years ago on my potted citrus trees. The results convinced me to save every scrap of bubble wrap from packages now.
The bubble wrap insulation plants benefit from comes from trapped air. When I first tested bubble wrap I was amazed by the results. Each tiny bubble acts as a mini insulator. I measured temps and found it stayed five degrees warmer than outside air.
Wrapping container plants is where you should protect pots bubble wrap first. Wind the material around pots to insulate roots from cold air. I wrap two or three layers around my ceramic pots starting at the rim. Secure it with tape or twine so wind does not pull it off.
The wrap keeps your roots several degrees warmer. Your roots are more tender than leaves. Protecting your pot matters more than covering foliage. In my experience your containers need bubble wrap first because that is where the cold hits hardest.
You can also create a loose tent over plants using DIY plant insulation with bubble wrap and stakes. Push garden stakes into the soil around your plant. Drape bubble wrap over the stakes without touching foliage. This air gap holds warmth effectively.
I use this tent method on my small shrubs when cold hits. Point your bubbles inward toward your plant for best results. This puts the insulating air pockets closest to what you want to protect.
One warning about bubble wrap for you. Remove it during daytime hours. The material can trap too much heat when the sun comes out. I burned some lettuce leaves once by forgetting to uncover them on a sunny morning.
Pull back your wrap by mid-morning and reapply before sunset when frost comes again. Morning and evening become your action times with bubble wrap. This daily routine becomes second nature after a week or two of practice.
Your bubble wrap survives many seasons if you store it right. Fold it flat and keep it dry between uses. Check for holes or tears before each frost season. Small holes hurt it so patch them or get fresh wrap.
Start collecting bubble wrap now from your online orders. The large bubble version works better for your plants. Keep a stash ready for your garden. You will be glad you saved it when frost warnings hit.
Read the full article: Protecting Plants from Frost That Works
