Winter care will depend upon the personal choice of cacti planted. If you pick species that have good moisture tolerance there shouldn’t be any need for any winter protection. More sensitive species can either be protected with a piece of glass or plastic supported over the sensitive plant by bricks. A more semi-permanent structure over the bed to keep the rain and moisture off the plants and soil.
I cover my newly planted beds wit a semi-permanent structure in their first winter as this helps them to become established. The structure usually consists of a wooden frame covered with clear sheet plastic.
The structure is usually constructed September/October to allow the plants and bed to start to dry a little before the severe frosts arrive. The frame is covered with special consideration to allow free flow of air around the cacti. At least two sides of the structure should be left open to allow air circulation. Enclosed structures can result in the growth of fungi and bacteria which can lead to plants rotting and dieing. The structure is removed in late May which allows new growth to emerge just a few weeks early to give a longer growing season.
Using protection in winter offers many benefits including:-
Increase the range of species that can be successfully.
Increase the growing season of the plants. Allowing early growth and hardening off of new growth before the frost arrive.
Aid the flowering potential of plants being grown.
There are still many species which thrive in our climate. With the correct construction of an appropriate growing site there will be no need for winter protection if the right species are selected. I have many plants in my unprotected beds which receive no protection during the winter and very little care at other times, they all thrive and produce a reliable show of flowers and new growth.
