Old bed sheets make the best garden fleece alternatives hands down. When I first switched to worn sheets I never looked back. They add 3 to 4 degrees of warmth just like commercial fleece. You probably have old sheets taking up your closet space right now.
Put those old sheets to work in your garden instead of buying new fleece. The fleece substitute costs you nothing and works just as well. Cotton breathes better than synthetic fleece anyway. I never went back to store-bought covers.
Lightweight blankets and burlap also work great for frost protection. I picked up several burlap coffee sacks from a local roaster for free. They breathe well and insulate tender plants overnight. Just ask nicely and most coffee shops give them away.
Blankets from thrift stores cost almost nothing and last multiple seasons with proper care. My DIY frost fabric collection came entirely from garage sales and thrift shops. I spent maybe ten dollars total and have enough to cover my whole garden.
Cardboard boxes protect individual plants on frost nights. Save boxes from online deliveries throughout the year. Place them over small plants before sunset to trap daytime warmth inside. I keep a stack of various sizes in my garage ready for cold snaps.
Row cover fabric from garden centers costs less than brand name fleece. This cheap frost protection option provides similar protection at a fraction of the price. I bought a large roll three years ago that still has plenty left.
The material is lightweight enough to drape directly over crops without stakes or supports. Row cover fabric lets water and light through too. You can leave it on for days during prolonged cold spells without hurting your plants.
In emergencies even newspaper can save your plants. Layer sheets over low veggies when frost hits fast. I have done this with lettuce and spinach when caught off guard.
Weight the paper with rocks to keep it from blowing away. Newspaper works for light frost but breaks down when wet. It serves as a last resort when you have nothing else. I tested this and it saved my spinach one cold night.
Start collecting free materials now before frost season hits. Ask your neighbors for old sheets and blankets. Keep your delivery boxes for your garden. Check thrift stores for cheap options. Your frost kit costs almost nothing if you start early and collect things as you go.
Read the full article: Protecting Plants from Frost That Works
