Winter Fleece Guide: How to Protect Your Plants from Frost

The arrival of cold weather doesn't have to mean the end for your garden. A good winter fleece can make all the difference, protecting your plants from frost and even extending your harvest season. But faced with a jungle of options, it's easy to make a mistake that could cost your plants their lives. Our mission? To help you see clearly and choose the right protection, far from the marketing hype.

Winter Fleece: The 3 Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

Before you check out, let's review the most common pitfalls. A poor choice isn't just ineffective; it can actively harm your plants.

1. The "thicker is better" myth: This is the most common mistake. Using a fleece that's too thick on a less fragile plant during mild weather will create condensation and encourage disease. The right weight depends on the plant-climate-need trio, not a universal rule.
2. Confusing winter fleece with plastic film: The former, made of non-woven polypropylene, is permeable to air and water, allowing the plant to breathe. The latter, a polyethylene forcing film, is waterproof and creates a greenhouse effect. Using one for the other risks suffocation, rot, or fatal heatstroke.
3. Ignoring UV treatment: A low-cost, untreated fleece or protective cover is a poor investment. The sun will make it brittle, and it will tear within a single season. The result? You'll have to buy a new one every year.

The 3 Key Criteria for a Successful Purchase

For truly effective plant protection from the cold, forget the marketing and focus on these three technical points. This is where true quality lies.

Weight (g/m?): The Right Density for Every Plant

The weight, or grammage, is the fabric's weight per square metre (g/m?). It indicates the level of frost protection. The goal isn't to aim for the highest number, but the most appropriate one.

• 17?g/m?: This is the basic anti-frost fleece, perfect for light frosts (-1 to -3?°C). It's also used in spring to speed up seedlings (a forcing effect) or as a barrier against insects and birds. It allows maximum light, air, and water to pass through.
• 30?g/m?: This is a more serious level of protection, effective down to -4/-6?°C. It's the ideal choice for cold-sensitive plants (potted citrus, olive trees, oleanders) or for regions with harsh winters. This agrotextile remains breathable, even though it filters a bit more light.

Material: Breathable Non-Woven or Waterproof Plastic Film?

The choice of material is crucial for your plants' survival.

• Non-woven polypropylene: This is the star material for winter fleece. Its microporous structure lets air and water through, which prevents condensation and mould. It can be placed directly on plants without risk of burning them.
• Polyethylene film: This is the material used for tarps and forcing films. Completely waterproof, it creates a powerful greenhouse effect, perfect for starting seedlings under a tunnel. Be careful: it must never touch the foliage and requires daily ventilation to avoid "cooking" the plants. Some models are micro-perforated to limit this risk.
• Mulching film: Usually black and opaque, this is laid on the ground. Its purpose is not to protect from frost, but to block weeds while keeping the soil warm and moist.

UV Treatment: The Detail That Makes All the Difference

A good fleece is one that lasts for several winters. UV treatment (or stabilisation) prevents the plastic from breaking down under the sun's rays. A UV-treated product is reusable for several seasons, making it a worthwhile investment and an eco-friendly choice.

Recommended Plant Protectors

To help you choose, here are three products that meet specific needs, all validated against our selection criteria.

IDEAL FOR: BEGINNER GARDENERS AND SMALL SPACES

Tenax Ortoclima Winter Fleece 1.6x10m 17g/m?

Why we recommend it: Perfect for beginners or for a balcony/small vegetable patch. Its format is easy to cut and handle, and its 17 g/m? weight is versatile enough for the first frosts or for protecting seedlings.

How it avoids the pitfalls

Its smart format means you don't have to buy a huge roll or an excessive weight for a simple need. It's the right amount of protection, without waste.

Its key strength

UV-treated, it's designed to be reused for several winters, making it a much smarter choice than untreated entry-level products.

IDEAL FOR: EXPERIENCED GARDENERS AND COLD-SENSITIVE PLANTS

Tenax Ortoclima Plus Reinforced Winter Fleece 2x20m 30g/m?

Why we recommend it: The solution for sensitive plants (citrus, oleanders) or regions where winter is no joke. Its 30 g/m? weight provides a much better thermal barrier.

How it avoids the pitfalls

It offers enhanced protection without going overboard with an overly thick fleece. It's the perfect balance for serious winter protection where a 17 g/m? fleece would be insufficient.

Its key strength

Its superior tear resistance and UV treatment make it a reliable and reusable product, perfect for protecting valuable plants.

IDEAL FOR: MARKET GARDENERS AND VERY LARGE GARDENS

Tenax Ortoclima Plus Pro Roll 2.4x500m 30g/m?

Why we recommend it: The format designed for professionals (nursery owners, market gardeners) or enthusiasts with a very large vegetable garden. This 500-metre roll is the most economical solution for covering vast areas with effective 30 g/m? protection.

How it avoids the pitfalls

No more hassle and extra cost of buying small rolls repeatedly. This professional format optimises coverage, installation time, and stock management.

Its key strength

Its cost per square metre is unbeatable for intensive use. The professional quality guarantees reliable and durable protection across the entire crop.

Your Questions, Our Answers About Winter Fleece

What thickness (weight) of winter fleece should I choose?

It all depends on your climate and the fragility of the plant.

• 17?g/m?: For light frosts (-1 to -3?°C), to advance spring crops, and as an anti-insect barrier.
• 30?g/m?: For more significant cold snaps (-4 to -6?°C), Mediterranean plants (citrus, olive trees), and regions with harsh winters.
• Above (60?g/m? and up): Usually in the form of covers, for highly targeted protection of the most fragile potted plants.

Can you leave a winter fleece on all winter?

Yes, as long as it is a breathable, non-woven fleece. Leaving it in place prevents thermal shock. However, remember to open or lift it on mild, sunny days to ventilate and limit condensation. Be aware that with a waterproof plastic film, daily ventilation is a must.

Does winter fleece protect from rain?

No, a standard winter fleece is permeable and lets rainwater pass through, which is a good thing. It does, however, cushion the impact of heavy rain or hail on young plants. For 100% waterproof protection, you need to opt for a garden protective cover or a plastic film, but always on a structure (like tunnel hoops) to avoid suffocating the plant.