Winter Plant Protection 101: Wraps, Burlap, and Sealants 🌲❄️
- Maple Leaf Farms
- Nov 3
- 4 min read
As New Jersey temperatures begin to dip, your plants face one of their toughest challenges of the year: winter. While some varieties can handle frost with ease, others need a bit of help to survive the harsh conditions.
At Maple Leaf Farms, we want to make sure your evergreens, shrubs, and ornamental trees stay strong through the cold months — and come back healthy, full, and vibrant next spring.
This complete guide explains why winter protection matters, when to apply it, and how to wrap, cover, and care for your plants before the first deep freeze sets in.
❄️ Why Winter Protection Matters
Even cold-hardy plants can experience stress during winter. Between drying winds, temperature swings, and frozen soil, plants lose moisture faster than their roots can absorb it. This leads to desiccation, or winter burn, which causes brown foliage and dead tips — especially in evergreens like Boxwoods, Arborvitae, and Hollies.
Common winter risks include:
Wind Burn: Cold air strips moisture from leaves.
Sunscald: Intense winter sun heats bark during the day, causing it to crack when it freezes again at night.
Frost Heave: Repeated freeze-thaw cycles push shallow-rooted plants out of the soil.
Animal Damage: Deer, rabbits, and rodents feed on bark and foliage when food is scarce.
Protecting your plants in late fall helps prevent damage before it begins — saving you from costly replacements in spring.
🌿 Choosing the Right Protection Materials
Not every plant needs the same level of protection, but most benefit from one or more of these simple, effective techniques.
Burlap
Burlap is one of the most versatile and reliable ways to protect plants in winter. It blocks wind, diffuses sunlight, and prevents snow and ice buildup on branches.
Use burlap screens on the windward side of evergreens.
Wrap sensitive shrubs loosely to allow air flow.
Avoid tight wrapping, which can trap moisture and cause rot.
Tree Wrap
Thin-barked or young trees (like Dogwoods or Maples) are prone to sunscald and frost cracking. Use breathable tree wrap from the base to the lowest branches to prevent bark damage.
Anti-Desiccant Sprays
Anti-desiccant or moisture-lock sprays create a thin, breathable coating that helps evergreens retain moisture through the dry winter months. Apply when temperatures are above freezing for at least 24 hours.
Mulch
A thick layer of mulch insulates roots and maintains soil moisture. Spread it evenly around the base of plants, keeping it a few inches away from trunks or stems to prevent rot.
Netting & Light Barriers
Light netting or burlap barriers can prevent deer and animal browsing while also serving as wind protection.
🪴 Step-by-Step: How to Protect Common Plants
Different plants have different needs when it comes to winter care. Here’s how to handle the most common varieties found in New Jersey landscapes:
Evergreen Shrubs (Boxwood, Arborvitae, Holly)
Wrap loosely with burlap or use a three-sided screen to block prevailing winds.
Water deeply before the ground freezes.
Apply mulch to insulate roots.
Small Trees (Japanese Maple, Dogwood, Redbud)
Wrap trunks with breathable tree wrap to prevent cracking.
Mulch around the base to retain soil warmth.
Stake young trees to protect against heavy winds.
Perennials & Ornamental Grasses
Cut back spent foliage to reduce disease and pest harboring.
Leave 2–3 inches of growth above ground to protect crowns.
Cover tender perennials with a light mulch layer for added insulation.
Container Plants
Move potted plants close to buildings or into sheltered areas.
Group pots together for warmth.
Wrap containers with burlap or fabric insulation.
🌬️ When to Apply Wraps and Sprays
Timing is key. Protect too early, and you risk trapping heat and moisture. Wait too long, and frost damage may already set in.
Wraps and Burlap: Apply after the first hard frost, typically late October to early November in New Jersey.
Anti-Desiccant Sprays: Apply in late fall when plants are fully dormant. Reapply midwinter if needed during warm spells.
Mulch: Spread mulch after the ground begins to freeze slightly — this helps lock in moisture.
🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid
Wrapping plants too tightly — it prevents airflow and traps moisture.
Using plastic or non-breathable materials — these cause overheating and mildew.
Forgetting to water before the freeze — dry roots are more prone to winter injury.
Leaving wraps on too long in spring — this can stunt early growth.
🧤 Maintaining Your Protection Through Winter
Protection doesn’t stop once the wraps are up. Check your plants after heavy snow, ice storms, or high winds.
Brush off excess snow to prevent branch breakage.
Tighten loose burlap or re-secure fallen stakes.
Reapply sprays if there’s significant rain or thawing midwinter.
Once spring temperatures consistently rise above freezing, carefully remove all coverings to let plants breathe and begin new growth.
🌳 Why Winter Protection Is Worth It
Protecting your plants now saves time, money, and stress later. A few simple steps can prevent:
Browning and dead patches on evergreens.
Cracked bark on young trees.
Root damage from freezing and thawing.
Animal browsing that ruins new growth.
Healthy, well-protected plants bounce back faster in spring and maintain their shape, color, and vitality for years to come.
📍 Visit Maple Leaf Farms
Whether you’re preparing your garden for the cold or setting up for winter décor, our team at Maple Leaf Farms is here to help.
We carry wraps, burlap, ties, mulch, and everything you need to protect your plants before frost arrives.
Address: 525 US-9, Manalapan, NJ 07726
Website: www.mapleleaffarmsnj.com
Phone: (732) 851-4400
Instagram: @mapleleaffarmsnj
Facebook: /mapleleaffarmsnj
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