What does "frost free" actually mean?

As some of you may have noticed, I've picked up some bargain plants in the past couple of days. Among which are:-

~ cordyline
~ date palms
~ miniature Christmas trees (they will be another thread )

I understand they all need to be kept in a "frost free" place. But, what does that actually *mean*

The places I have available are:-

~ garage
~ shed (non heated)
~ laundry room
~ dark brick outhouses x2 (eg no windows, no lights)

Currently, the mini Christmas trees are on a mantel shelf in the dining room, the date palms are on either side of the fireplace (fire isn't lit) and the cordylines have been put on a shelf in the laundry room.

I believe I'm right in saying that the date palms become hardier the bigger they get? (saw some photo's on an older thread of huge ones near Portsmouth!) but for the first few years they need a bit of tender care? How big do they need to get before they would be considered hardy enough to be kept outside year round?

The cordyline I believe will always need to be brought into (somewhere) during the winter months. Or, fleeced if left outside?

The mini Christmas trees (that will be a different thread).

I would ask Mr Mum, but I have a feeling he would answer "anywhere not in the freezer"

 

Of the 4 places you have described Mum,
the one with the most light that stays the warmest must surely be the one? I think we are in for a cold spell and they wouldn't like the big OUTDOORS and they won't be happy with a cosy, indoor central heating abode. IMHO,
Jenny

 

Thank you, Jenny.

So, indoors is out!

Next brightest would be either the garage or the laundry room - although neither gets any "heat" as such (but, I suppose the freezer and washing machine do generate a bit of warm?) Unfortately, both of those rooms have north facing windows

My shed has a south facing window, but nothing to generate any warmth above the outside temperature (but, I haven't seen frost in there )

Hmmm, need to rethink the palms and miniature Christmas trees then

 

Just gotta go for the best option,
maybe with a bit of cuddly bubble wrap?

 

I agree with Jenny.

Read somewhere when potting up a plant, before putting the compost in put some bubble wrap on the inside of the pot and it saves having to bubble wrap pots if a frost comes.
Never tried it but think I might give it a try.

 

That sounds smart ,
Good thinking Batwoman

 

Top tip, GA

Wouldn't it make them sweat in the summer though

 

Mum, these christmas trees, what species are they? And when you say 'miniture', do you mean they are just still young or they are some species that stays compact?

The 'standard' christmas tree in the UK is usually the Norway Spruce I believe, but should be more than capability of riding out one of our winters.

As for the other stuff, no idea from me, other than a word of caution about 'frost free' places in general. This comes from a book, not personal experience, but here goes. The obvious place to put tender plants outside is in a sheltered south east spot, which will typically be the warmest. However, if tender plants in such a spot do get a little bit of frost exposure overnight, they will suffer damage in the morning when the sun shines straight onto their frozen foliage, causing too rapid a temperature change thereby causing more damage than if the plant had endured the same low temperature but warmed much more slowly throughout the morning. Just something to be aware of.

 

Were they indoors when you bought them or in the"outside" garden area.My cordylines have never been brought in, potted them up and left to get on with it ,so I would put them in the garage, as possibly not hardened off enough.
I thought the cordylines were decimated by virus that year John. I lost a largish one in the front garden ,but it also started to sprout from the base. So I potted it up and its going along quite well.

 

frost free technically means not below 0C, but depending on which date palm and which Cordyline you have depends on whether it can realistically go outside.

The true date palm is Phoenix dactylifera, which should still tolerate fairly low temperatures, or it could be Phoenix canariensis.

As for Cordyline, if it's Cordyline fruticosa (the very small one with multi-colour broad leaves) then it has no chance outside, but if it's the Cordyline australis then it's not going to die in a normal winter, and can take frost.

 

Is the garage attached to the house?
At my old house it was and I just huddled the tender plants in the area around the air brick - if you have one of those that's the best spot.
The poor light is not such an issue as the plants are dormant and only need be there for the worst of the weather.
One tip; Stand the pots on piles of old newspapers to insulate them further.

 

No idea but I did begin a thread solely about them, with a picture in case someone might be able to identify them.

Top tip, thank you!!

All were outdoors, except the Christmas trees (they were on the houseplant shelf).

Thank you, Stephen I'll double check the pots for the proper names

Yes, the garage is attached.
Great tip, would never have thought to stand them on newspaper for insulation, brilliant; thank you!

 

I'm with LongK. put them somewhere cold, but not freezing - i.e. garage. Indoors will be too warm / wrong atmosphere. They won't mind the lack of light provided that they are not warm. During mild spells put them outside so they get some of nice moist weather!!