Cold snaps happen fast in Zone 9a, and your garden needs a game plan. In this episode of The Compost Pile: Breaking Down How to Grow in Zone 9a, hosts David Pool and Aaron Barnhill sit down with our friend and local plant enthusiast Tom Wright for a relaxed but info-packed conversation about protecting your plants when temperatures drop.

We break down simple, practical steps every gardener or homeowner can take to prepare for frost or a hard freeze, including:

- How to properly cover plants (and what not to use)

- Why watering before a freeze matters

- How to create simple habitats to attract them

- The safe, effective use of lights and heat sources

- Choosing which plants to prioritize

- Tom’s real-life process for protecting his own plant collection

… and plenty of Zone 9a–specific tips you can use right away.

Whether you’re tending raised beds, container gardens, ornamentals, or fruit trees, this episode will help you stay ahead of cold weather and keep your plants thriving all winter long.

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