Aside from a few exceptions, plants generally prosper in moderate temperatures. There are very few plants that can withstand extreme temperatures over long periods. So, it can be very challenging for people living in these weather conditions to grow their gardens. Frost heave is a common issue that you will often notice people living in colder regions complain about on online forums. It is a severe issue, and the crops can die out quickly due to this phenomenon. Let’s discuss whether or not there is a method that gardeners can use to prevent frost heave.
How To Prevent Frost Heave?
First of all, you need to look for plants that can withstand the extreme weather conditions for your garden and provide them adequate time to grow. That way, when the frost hits, they will be healthy enough to tackle the issue without dying too quickly. You can go to your local gardening store and ask about the plants that would be easier to grow in the current weather conditions. Ensure that the plants are well developed before winter hits.
To prevent frost heave, there are a few methods that you can choose. The first method most commonly used by gardeners is to insulate the soil with pine or wood chips. If you have a small garden, it won’t affect your budget to manage the insulation process. If you insulate the plants properly, you will substantially reduce the chances of frost heave affecting your soil. Moreover, it’s easier to manage the plant over time if the plants have developed.
Aside from insulating the soil, you also need to ensure that the soil is in good health and drains well. Most gardeners prefer to rake the soil and mix some compost to improve the drainage ability of the soil. If there is minimal suspended water in the pores inside your soil, that significantly reduces the chances of frost heave. So, you should try these two methods if you live in a colder region and struggle to manage your garden.
Even after using these methods, you will still have to deal with a little bit of frost heave. But, if your plants are developed enough, it shouldn’t be a problem to get through the winter. You can go to a local nursery by wood chirps if you don’t have some lying around in the garden. Then spread these wood chips on the soil to insulate it from further damage.
To Conclude
Frost heave is a severe issue that can destroy the garden in a few days. So, gardeners that live in colder regions need to plan to overcome this problem. The majority of gardeners improve the drainage quality of their soil while raking it and adding compost in the spring.
On the other hand, people also like using pine or wood chirps to prevent prolonged exposure. This method can be somewhat expensive if you don’t have wood chirps lying around and your garden is enormous. So, make sure to go over your budget before deciding on a method to protect your soil from frost heave.