The first frost usually arrives quicker than expected. Plants and bags of potting soil that are still outside then freeze. Find out here what you can do with frozen potting soil, how to save your plants and how to overwinter your potting soil.
Will frozen potting soil harm my plants?
If the earth is frozen, the roots cannot absorb water, sothe plant dries out Water no longer flows through the frozen earth and watering no longer serves any purpose. Direct sunlight also causes excessive evaporation of water from the plants.
How do I save plants in frozen potting soil?
Whether your potted plant can still be saved depends largely on the species. Place the plant in abright, protected locationin the house. Let it thawat temperatures between five to seven degrees Celsius and observe the plant. Water them sparingly. All parts of the plant that do not stand up again after thawing or that are obviously dead must be removed. Hardy plant species can handle frost very well and usually survive the winter without any further action.
Can I reuse frozen potting soil in the bag?
Frost does not significantly damage the quality of the potting soil. Therefore, as long as the bag was still unopened or at least well closed,can be reused without hesitation if it was frozen. However, if the bag was opened, pests could nest and later harm the plants. Therefore, store your potting soil in a sealed bag in a dry, unheated location. A cool, non-damp cellar, garage, garden shed or tool shed, for example, is suitable for this. To be on the safe side, check the soil before use.
How do I prevent damage from frozen potting soil?
Protect your plants and don't let the soil freeze in the first place. To do this, get all potted plants and bags of potting soil in in good timebefore the first frost Check the weather report every day in autumn. You should act with caution at temperatures below five degrees Celsius. You can also cover less sensitive plants with a jute bag to protect them.
Tip
Repot thawed plants after hibernation
Once your plants and potting soil have thawed again, dead shoot tips and leaves should only be removed once they have dried. The plants should then be able to recover in suitable winter quarters. Repot the plant in spring, check for pests and give it plenty of fertilizer in fresh soil.
