The
wintering veil
(or forcing veil) is a protective cover to be installed at the approach of winter on the plants, from the garden to the balcony via the orchard.
This non-woven polypropylene fabric is permeable to water, light and air without creating a condensation effect.
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When to put on a winter veil?
As its name suggests, the wintering veil is to be installed as soon as the first shivers announce winter.
If autumn promises to be harsh or if winter is early with frost announced and Mercury dropping below 4°C, it's time to take out the winter veil, a thermal fabric, to help plants to withstand this cool period.
The Winter Veil can also be used in the Spring with Ice Saints.
Read alsoWhat to do in winter in your garden?
How to make a winter veil yourself?
The winter veil can be purchased in garden centers, DIY stores or online.
In a roll, it can be cut according to the size of each plant species.
It is also available in a cover, on a roll, in a tunnel or in a greenhouse.
How to put on a winter veil according to the plants?
For plants such as camellias, geraniums or rhododendrons, the wintering veil must be installed in such a way as to leave a space between the plant and the fabric for better ventilation.
It can be planted both in the ground and in a pot.
To prevent it from weakening in the cold, secure it with a thick string or fishing line.
It can also be deposited on flowers and on the plantations of a vegetable garden, in particular salads, even if it is advisable to recover the crops before.
Depending on its thickness, it can save between two and four additional degrees, which is not negligible during these periods.
If protecting a potted tree, cover it all the way to the base.
For a tree in the ground, lay down mulch to better maintain the humidity level in the soil and better insulate the roots.
Advice
If it is a potted plant, first remove the saucer so that there is no standing water.
Read alsoWhat trees and shrubs bloom in winter?
When to remove the winter veil?
Remove it once the freezing period has passed and the temperatures become milder again.
The goal is to leave this web until the cold passes, and then let the plant benefit from both air and natural light.
Leaving the winter veil on when the weather no longer requires it could create condensation.
And if the latter remains in a stagnant state over time, it could cause the plant to rot.
Advice
Apart from planting in the ground, for better protection you can gather your flowers together under cover, near a wall and rather to the south, to avoid cold winds and drafts.