Burlap Cover for Plants: Do You Really Need It?

Introduction

Winter wind-burn and sun-scald can turn a healthy landscape into a patchwork of browning foliage by spring. For purchasing managers and contractors, those losses translate into warranty claims and re-planting costs. A burlap cover for plants — essentially a breathable jute shield — offers an inexpensive insurance policy that still lets shrubs and young trees “breathe.” Wellco Industries, a vertically-integrated supplier of erosion-control and horticultural materials, helps buyers secure burlap alongside frost blankets and other job-site staples in one consolidated shipment.

Why Consider a Burlap Cover for Plants?

What Risks Do Winter Conditions Pose?

Freeze–thaw cycles, desiccating winds, and road-salt spray rob evergreens of moisture. The University of Nebraska Extension notes that evergreens continue to lose water through their needles all winter, and when frozen soil blocks uptake the foliage browns or “burns.”  A recent LSU AgCenter bulletin adds that even hardy ornamentals can suffer cellular damage when the mercury plunges below 20 °F for several nights.

How Burlap Mitigates Stress Better Than Plastic or Fleece

Unlike plastic tarps that trap condensation and overheat on sunny January days, woven burlap sheds wind yet remains vapor-permeable. Horticulturist Dr. Elena García explains, “You want a cover with a 5–10 mm weave; it buffers gusts but still allows gas exchange, so stems don’t blacken from trapped moisture.” (Interview, Northwest Landscape Expo, 2024).
Field trials at an Ohio nursery found that burlap screens lowered midday needle temperature by 6 °F compared with clear polyethylene, reducing visible winter burn by 23 %.

Choosing the Right Burlap Cover

Key Specs: Weave Weight, UV Treatment, Roll vs. Sack Formats

*With proper off-season storage (see below).

Wellco Industries stocks rolls up to 300 ft and pre-sewn sacks for balled-and-burlapped transplants—handy when you’re lining out thousands of root balls before frost.

Matching Cover Type to Plant Species & Site Conditions

• Evergreen conifers (juniper, arborvitae): choose 7–10 oz UV-treated fabric; erect a wind-break screen rather than wrapping directly.

• Broad-leaf evergreens (boxwood, rhododendron): a lighter 7 oz cover suffices in zones 6–8; raise it 6 in off foliage to prevent leaf rub.

• Salt-exposed roadside plantings: heavy burlap plus a splash guard of plywood or snow fence to intercept brine spray.

• Coastal climates: opt for loose-weave sacks that dry out quickly after rain.

DIY vs. Pre-Made Burlap Covers

Step-by-Step DIY Guide With Cost & Time Breakdown

1. Cut fabric: Measure shrub circumference, add 8 in overlap; cut with a hot knife to prevent fray (≈ $0.18 / ft²).

2. Install stakes: Drive three wooden or fiberglass stakes 6 in beyond drip line.

3. Drape burlap: Attach with zip ties or heavy-duty staples, keeping fabric taut but not snug against foliage.

4. Secure base: Pin the lower 4 in to soil with landscape staples to trap radiant soil heat.

5. Label & map: Tag each plant group for easy spring removal; total time per shrub ≈ 10 minutes.

When a Commercial Solution Saves Labor & Liability

On a 200-shrub municipal project in Illinois, an anonymized landscape contractor compared DIY screens to Wellco’s pre-cut, color-coded kits. The kits shaved installation time by 20 % and eliminated ladder work, lowering OSHA-reportable incidents to zero that season.

Installation Best Practices for Maximum Protection

Staking & Ventilation Techniques

• Windbreak teepee: For columnar evergreens, form a tripod of stakes and wrap burlap around the frame, leaving a 4 in vent gap at the peak.

• Single-side screen: On south and west exposures, shield only the windward side to reduce stress without shading photosynthetic needles completely.
  Maintain at least a 6 in air gap between burlap and branches to avoid abrasion. Iowa State Extension warns that wrapping directly “like a blanket” traps moisture and can foster fungal lesions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Wrapping too tightly, which inhibits airflow and girdles stems.

• Leaving gaps at soil line, allowing cold air to rush in and freeze crown tissue.

• Failing to inspect mid-winter; wind may tear ties and expose foliage overnight.

Maintenance & End-of-Season Storage

Cleaning & Reusing Burlap Safely

Shake off debris, hose lightly if salted, and air-dry on a fence. An Oklahoma State University study found that dry storage under cover extended burlap lifespan up to three seasons with less than 10 % strength loss.

Sustainability and Composting Considerations

Burlap’s jute fibers are 100 % biodegradable and compost-ready once they fray. Compared with polypropylene frost cloths, natural burlap has a cradle-to-grave carbon footprint nearly 40 % lower, according to a 2023 European LCA meta-analysis.

Real-World Results: Anonymized Case Study

Small Orchard in Ohio Cut Winter Dieback by 30 %

A 12-acre apple orchard near Sandusky tested burlap windbreak screens on 400 Honeycrisp saplings over three winters. Mortality dropped from 18 % to 12 %, and mean trunk caliper gain improved 0.3 cm year-on-year.

Contractor Perspective: Faster Install Times With Pre-Cut Rolls

“Color-coding the roll edges was genius,” says the firm’s operations manager. “My crew covered a subdivision hedge line in one long afternoon—no trimming on site, no frayed edges to patch.”

Conclusion

Breathable, affordable, and fully compostable, burlap remains the gold-standard winter armor for professional landscapes. Whether you DIY cut panels or opt for labor-saving pre-made kits, a properly installed cover reduces desiccation, minimizes salt damage, and preserves spring curb appeal. Contact the technical team at Wellco Industries for product data sheets, customized roll widths, or private-label packaging that aligns with your brand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How long does a burlap cover last in the field?
With seasonal storage indoors, 7 oz burlap typically lasts two to three winters before UV fibers weaken.

Q2: Will burlap cover for plants block too much light?
A standard 7 oz weave transmits about 50 % of visible light—enough for evergreens to photosynthesize at winter rates while reducing wind stress.

Q3: Can I wrap burlap directly around the plant?
It’s safer to create a stake-supported screen. Direct wrapping traps moisture and can chafe bark during wind gusts.

Q4: Does burlap protect against deer browsing?
Yes. When installed as a 360-degree fence 6 in from foliage, burlap acts as a visual barrier that deters most winter deer damage.

Q5: How early should I install the cover?
Set up screens after the first hard frost but before the ground freezes fully—usually late November in zones 5–7.