Anti Frost Polythene Plant Protection - the Hot Chilli Hoodie

Will Jack Frost destroy your favourite pot plants this Winter? Will you be crying tears of despair as you watch the tender leaves wither up before your eyes? Will he create utter misery within the glasshouse? No, says Tecwyn Twmffat - we can protect our plants against the ravages of this cruel man with the 'The Hot Chilli Hoodie', fabricated with little more than a piece of polythene sheet, some scissors and an office stapler.

The Super Hot Chillies fight back against the ravages of the Northern Winter. They will survive. They will be protected against the icy clouds of Jack Frost's breathe. The battle begins!

If you have any valuable plants, not just chillies, that you want to protect against the frost then this simple polythene shroud could be of great help.

Step 1: Equipment and Materials

• Heavy gauge polythene sheet (300gm^-2)
• Scissors
• 4" or larger office stapler
• Marker pen
• Tape measure / ruler

Step 2: Drawing Out the Pattern

Measure the overall dimensions of the plant and pot. Mine came to d₁=5" and h₁=7".

The hoodie needs to be bigger than the plant with enough head room to allow the plant to 'breathe' a little and prevent condensation.

My hoodie worked out as:

h₂= 10 x 7" divided by 7 = 10" and

d₂= 6 x 5" divided by 5 = 6" and

t₂= 1"

Step 3: Cutting and Fastening the Polythene

1. Mark out the pattern on the polythene and cut away the unwanted material.
2. Fold the polythene along the fold lines and put one staple in the bottom corners.
3. Starting from the top, work down the folded tabs stapling as you go. It could also be stitched with thread, but I'm too lazy so I use staples. If the stapler is too short to reach to the top, just fold the polythene as in the photo to enable it to reach.
4. Re-staple the bottom corners if necessary.
5. Trim off any bits sticking out.
6. Make some small vent holes by snipping off the top corners as shown in the photos. This will allow some ventilation and prevent condensation and mould.

Step 4: Check It Fits!

Make sure that the hoodie fits before the onset of severe temperatures.

Use the hoodie during periods of severe cold and take it off again when it is warmer as it is important to keep the humidity low during the plant's dormant period or it may go mouldy. Do not over water the soil, for the same reason.

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