When should winter protection be removed?

As a general rule, winter protection is removed when the snow melts, the ground thaws out and the risk of deep freeze has passed.

Resist the urge to remove equipment too early, when a spike in mild weather makes the snow melt quickly. Winter often resurfaces at the end of March or in April, and with it comes a new snowfall and significant drop in temperatures. It is also better to be patient and leave the protection in place until extreme cold temperatures are well behind us.

As soon as the snow has melted and the weather permits, remove all winter protection, as plants can suffer from the heat accumulated under cones and insulating canvasses. In addition, humidity can increase the risk of certain fungal diseases.

If possible, remove the protection on a cloudy day or at the end of the day. Buds and deciduous leaves that have spent the winter months under a protective canvas can get burned or dry out when faced with a sudden change in climate, especially if they spent the cold months under opaque canvasses or cones. Keep your protective canvasses on hand and put them back in the case of a late freeze.

Remove excess protective mulch and clear up the base of plants so as to reduce the risk of rotting at the crown (the junction between the roots and stem).

To learn more, read our winter protection section.