Wind can dry out tender young plants and temperature changes can shock or even kill them. Here's how to protect young transplants using materials you find around the house:

  • Use old tires to surround heat-loving pepper and tomato transplants, but make sure you plant them after the last potential frost.
  • Cut out the bottoms of gallon plastic milk containers and place them over individual plants.
  • Place large cans with the tops and bottoms cut out over plants to provide wind protection.
  • Arch old newspapers over rows of plants to form a protective tent, with the newspaper's center fold forming the peak of the tent. Anchor the outer ends of the newspaper pages with stones or other heavy objects.

Courtesy of Oregon State University Extension Service