Protecting moringa trees from frost damage is the #1 thing you can do to ensure an early spring harvest of nutritious young leaves.
In the northern half of Florida, moringas will often freeze to the ground, then grow back again from the roots sometime in spring. If you let this happen, you’ll be waiting on new leaves for a lot longer than necessary.
Want a shortcut that will give you much better yields? It’s easy. I’ve written on this method before, but it’s time for a better demonstration. Here’s how I do it.
Step 1: Chop ‘Em Down!
Chop your moringa trees down to 4′ trunks in late fall or early winter. I wait until the first frost is coming, then do this the day before.
It hurts to cut the trees down, but you can take away some of the pain by drying leaves to use through the winter. See?
I usually put away a couple of dry gallons of leaves… that’s a LOT of moringa. We never run out.
Step 2: Make Rings!
Got some old chicken wire or other fencing? Get snipping and bending!
It’s easy and fun. Just watch yourself on the sharp wires.
I make my rings about 16 – 20″ across, depending on the size of the tree. You can see one of the trunks above is a lot thicker than the other little moringas – that one is over two years old and was protected last winter. The others are only a year old.
Once you have your rings, move on to step three.
Step 3: Stuff Those Rings
I buy straw for this step but you could easily use leaves instead. Last year I used pine needles. All you want to do is make sure you get plenty of protection between the wires and the trunk of the trees. I stuff them tight, like so:
And that’s it! Once all danger of frost has passed, pull the rings off and rake away the straw. The moringas will shoot up like rockets from the intact trunk and you’ll be harvesting new leaves in no time… while your friends wait sadly for their moringa trees to return from the ground.
You can have greener thumbs by this weekend!
73 comments
It looks like you're preparing for some ancient Druid ritual in your back yard.
Wicker tree.
Hi David,
If I a moringa tree in a half wine barrel, how tall do you think it can grow? I’d love to get good height and width.
Remembering a weird detective movie with a horror ending on a British Isle: Wicker Man???
And I forgot to add Step 4: Go nude and paint yourself blue.
Very short druids!
The best part about this method? Eventually your 4' tall trunk will get so thick you won't need to worry about light freezes.
You're totally right.
Hi David,
I have 4 of these Moring trees for the last couple of years. These are growing in 32 gallon trash cans that I move into the garage every winter, and they stay here for 3 months under lights. During the year they get upto 18 feet and I trim them back to 5 feet during winter.
This year I am planning to plant a couple of them in the ground on the south side of the house where it is a little sheltered and use your method to protect them during winter. I live in North Texas where the temperatures can get to 15 degrees during winter, do you think the trees will still survive using your method to cover them?
Also, if I plant them about 3 feet from the house, would the roots pose any danger to the foundation of the house (I am not sure how big the roots get, or how invasive they are)?
Appreciate your reply…
thanks,
JM
Good questions. I have one moringa tree near the back of my house: no root problems. They have really weak wood (and the roots pull up easily) so I don't think they'd break the foundation.
I wouldn't be surprised if the trees survived 15 degrees; however, it only hits that temperature for an hour or two here. Where you are the length of time is probably a lot longer… if you had a couple of days below zero I think the cold might get through the straw insulation and get the tree.
What I would do is plant a couple out as test trees and see what happens. Keep a few back in the cans for a reserve. Worst case scenario, you lose a couple. Best case: you discover you can quit dragging around giant trash cans!
Hi David,
Thanks for the quick reply. I am going to try this. How big do the roots get for a Moringa tree that is 5+ years old? I am just trying to figure out how close I can plant to the house, the strip that I am planning to plant in is only about 8 feet wide, so I will have to plant at about 3 feet from the house.
thanks,
JM
I can't answer that – all I can do is guess. My trees are three years old at this point. I've seen ones a decade or more old but I'm not sure what the roots were like. There weren't any popping up from the ground that I could see.
I'd plant it next to the house in a heartbeat. Of course, I've always been a gambler.
David,
I assumed that the trees will have to have some amount of leaves to survive through winter, but in your article I am seeing that the trees have no leaves when they are covered by the straw, do they not need leaves on them during winter months, can they survive 3+ months without leaves?
Do you water them during winter?
thanks,
JM
Yes – they survive fine without leaves. These trees are wicked tough, despite their weak appearance. Generally, people in my area let them freeze completely to the ground in the winter. They'll come back in March/April from the roots, which are often an inch or so down beneath the frost-rotted trunk, then grow 10 or more feet. Crazy.
I don't water them during winter and our winters are dry here. If you have soggy winters it might hurt them.
Hi David,
Can I use shredded mulch inside the chicken wire instead of straw? Any downside? What is the coldest temperatures in northern half of Florida?
thanks,
JM
Yes. Downside: less airspace and more likely to pack down under rains. I've used leaves, straw, pine needles or whatever I can find.
Coldest: 12 degrees is the lowest I've seen, but that was for less than an hour.
We have thick black clay soil in my part of TX, so I am not sure if the Moringa trees would like this, I remember reading somewhere that they prefer sandy soil. So I am planning to cut out the bottoms of the trash cans and letting the tree grow out its root into the ground. Then in winter, I will surround the thrash can with chicken wire like you suggested, and fill it with stray or mulch.
Do you think this would work, or would the roots freeze because there are in the trash can instead of in the ground?
thanks,
JM
Just start planting and see. You'll get a feel as you go.
You are very clever David the Good! Many of my customers ask how to grow Moringa in a northern climate. I'm from South Florida and my trees never freeze. So that's how you do it! Do you save the tree tops, keep them moist and plant them in the spring?
Feel free to pass on my blog to your customers – I like having people grow such a wonderful and healthful tree. I don't bother saving the tops, other than the leaves. I find that moringa grown from seed has a lot more vitality than trees grown from cuttings.
Hello. I just came across your blog! I read all i could about germination and then planting my young moringa tree..but…I live in Ohio. So am certain this means my tree will be an indoor plant. I really really want to attempt growing 2 trees.
Is this silly?
What sort of light should I use,,please? Normal 6400k CFL suspended above my young plants?
Also …when do I put the tree in a trash can to grow? Once its reached how tall? Thanks!
Shana.
Hello. I just came across your blog! I read all i could about germination and then planting my young moringa tree..but…I live in Ohio. So am certain this means my tree will be an indoor plant. I really really want to attempt growing 2 trees.
Is this silly?
What sort of light should I use,,please? Normal 6400k CFL suspended above my young plants?
Also …when do I put the tree in a trash can to grow? Once its reached how tall? Thanks!
Shana.
[…] How to protect the trees from frost: http://www.thesurvivalgardener.com/how-to-protect-moringa-trees-from-fros/ […]
Thanks for the info to have learn about to save the moringa plant during winter, trim,install some chicken ring around it and put some straws around the trunk.I will try and do it for this process. I remain.
With regard,
P Abalos
You got it. I now recommend using leaves instead of straw as a lot of straw now contains herbicides that will wreck plants and trees. Same process, though. Thank you for stopping by.
[…] How to protect the trees from frost:Â http://www.thesurvivalgardener.com/how-to-protect-moringa-trees-from-fros/ […]
Hello David
I had Moringa growing up in Fiji (we call it Saijan in Hindi) and you are right.. the tree is pretty tough though looks weak..branches are weak too. What we found is that the weaker the soil (sandy, soapstoney) the more it thrived. One little favourite recipe for the flowers.. mix them in eggs and scramble the egg..mmmm.
I now live in Sacramento and planted some in a pot.they are about 3 feet tall and 1 inch diameter.. and “winter is coming”. what would you recommend.. we get frost a few times in winter.
I would probably just keep them in a pot until spring, then plant. I think you’re right on the bad soil – it at least seems to make them set more pods.
has your Moringa survived theough the winter in Sacramento? We are thinking to get moringa to plang in Sacramento. We just moved here from Hawaii and we had moringa plants in Hawaii.
How about a comment on growing in the snow belt of Pa.
Basically inside in a Florida room. No chance of frost. Plenty of natural light
It will need lots of light – they like full sun. You can also grow them as an annual there and still get a pretty decent harvest of leaves before frost.
Been growing one for years just cut way back before frost. spray for insects then bring in does fine.
Hi David,
Thank you for the information on Moringa tree. I have one tree I grow on a pot and it reaches about 10feet with one single branch. I live in North Texas and the winter is up and down but it can be cold with some snow or ice for a couple of hours-days. Now the temps has fall below 50F at night-early morning, I drag the huge pot into the garage and take them out when temps up again. I can’t do this all the time so now I just put it on my back patio for some light but the tree is too tall and it will bend to the roof of my patio. Tonight I cut the top of the tree and put the cutting in a big vase with water.
My questions :
1. Will the top of the tree get mold or damaged from the cold temp?
2. What should I do to prevent it?
3.Will the cutting in the vase grow root?
4.What would you recommend to keep this tree to survive?
Appreciate your reply.
Thanks so much.
SG
1. The top of the the tree will likely rot and be damaged, but sound wood lower down will be okay.
2. The more you wrap and cover, the higher the chance you’ll save more wood.
3. Cuttings in water always rot for me. They seem to hate it.
4. Mulch well around the roots and the trunk, cover with a tarp, perhaps, and pray.
Good luck!
Hello David,
I had two small trees that I covered over winter under a garden blanket along with my calamondin and several young palm trees. Only one has started to produce new leaf growth. The other never has. I just dug the root out of the pot. It is still very firm. Can I split this root cluster into smaller pieces and use to propagate new trees? Thank you.
Hi David,
Awesome articles on Moringa.
Have been growing about 20 plants in pots at a nursery which are now dormant for the 2nd time. We have been trying to get them to fruit but no luck. We get flowers but nothing seems to develop.
Any thoughts, suggestions?
Many thanks,
Greg
I should have added, they are growing in Melbourne, Australia which is a temperate climate with mild frosts in winter. This year we are putting them back in igloos over winter but last winter they were fine.
I LOVE THIS BLOG!!!
My question: I live in Casa Grande AZ. It can get to 122 in the summer and in Jan/feb it goes all the way down to the mid 70s during the day and 40’s at night. Occasionally a few days during winter we can get frost. I have two young moringas in planters right now. Should I plant them? Should I cut them in the winter? Thanks for your great blog, it is wonderful.
Hi David the Good
Just found your site
I’m in N California wet foggy coldish winters (2-3 frost nights)
My trees are only 4 months old from tap roots in the ground only 2 feet high(started late summer)
do you suggest your method or should I pull them out, pot them up and
wait till they’re older to do your method ?
Thanks
I would cover them – I think if you dig them they’re likely to die. Put a five-gallon pail full of water by each tree, stick some sticks in the ground to support a blanket, then throw that over the tree and the water. The water will hold thermal mass and keep them from freezing unless you get a bad frost event.
This blog is awesome. Thank you.
As to growing from cuttings, I had to move this fall and my potted Moringa was over 8 feet tall. There was no way it was going to fit in our van, so I harvested all the leaves, topped it and got three cuttings. I can attest to the fact that if you keep them too wet they will rot. They hate wet feet! But, they haven’t died yet. I cut the rot away and put them back in the pot I had them in and am watering very minimally, just in case there is enough alive to grow. Time will tell.
I live in the California desert and it’s gotten very close to freezing here so my Moringa is living in a huge pot near sliding doors. It gets some afternoon sun and seems very happy indoors. All the leaves have grown back and it’s beautiful again.
Thanks for the information on winterizing them. I’m still debating planting outside in the spring. It’s just so convenient having a movable pot.
Forgot to say Merry Christmas to all who celebrate!
Merry Christmas!
As a follow up note three years later: the cuttings did not make it. The moringa tree is now happily living and beautifully leafed out in the yard. I’m definitely going to winterize it using your method. I found a source for pesticide/herbicide-free, organically grown straw so I won’t have worries of my tree being harmed by toxins overwinter. I appreciate the heads-up about the chemicals in straw.
Once again thank you for your videos, your blog, and your eBooks. They have been a great help with so many different plants and trees I have been considering.
Hi David the Good!
Love the blog! We’re permaculture farmers in Gonzales, TX. About to start Moringa seeds, and going to plant TONS of them all over our 11-acre property. We’re raising all endangered species on the Livestock Conservancy’s endangered/threatened/watch lists (i.e. sheep, goats, chickens and ducks) and we’re growing totally organic fruits and veggies, and I’m hoping to start some bee hives this Spring, as well. That said, a lot of our overages are going to go to local churches, family and friends, but we’re hopeful that some will sell at local farmers’ markets too. So my question is this: have you any experience/evidence that the Moringa is marketable on a small, local scale? Thoughts/suggestions?
Thanks much!
Ashley
Hi Ashley,
It is. The dried leaves tend to sell, albeit with some marketing. I had the best luck selling potted trees, however.
Hi Ashley!
I am a newbie homesteader in Dale, TX. I am planning a Ladies Homestead Gathering Meeting soon. Would you be or know anyone who might be interested in attending? I recently started some Moringa trees and would like to start a Moringa Tree Farm!
Why did I not read this before our frost here in Jacksonville?!?!?
We have 8 trees that I just cut down, and hope they spring back up sooner rather than later. Some int he perm jax group have said they will, bigger and better… feeling hopeful. This year’s winter in Jax was brutal.
Next winter season, we are trying your method!
Definitely try it next year – it makes a big difference!
Excellent advice! Thank you
Thank you, Lori.
Thank you so much for your tips.
Northern Bexar county in Texas and have 2 year old trees. Currently growing about 50 trees. They love the rain more than filtered water. Insulating the trees now before freeze next week. They will grow in caliche but I only have 4 that grew beyond 10 feet. Planting seeds from the biggest tree next spring.
Good luck!
This is wonderful! Thank you for this and so much other advice on how to be a good steward of God’s great world. I have a lot to learn.
Awesome tip! My moringa are barely eight inches tall at this point, hoping they become more sizable before Winter. I’ll definitely be trying this.
Hi David
I am in Shrewsbury MA . I have planted Murungai from seeds 15 days Before & they are small plants now. . Now they are in pots . I plan to plant 4 plants in ground & 5 plants in pot. Can I save them in winter using Your method. I can have lot of leaves in fall.
It’s likely that they’ll freeze too deeply to return, but you could grow them as annuals.
David the Good; Thank you.
Have 16 Moringa trees in Kerrville TX planted April this year 2019; 10 ft tall; many leaves harvested and tincture made and making; several 1/2 gallons; taken daily and given to many others.
Funnel into 2 oz dropper bottles with 500ml separator funnel; efficient and not for sale.
A handshake buys these.
Regards
Hi David, I found your overwintering method really interesting. I’m considering planting these in NC (zone 8a) on my property, mainly for the nuts for home harvesting. It certainly gets warm enough here in summer, winters are the problem. Seeing how far you’ve cut them down before winter, do yours produce nuts, or only leaves?
I never got any pods from them, just leaves.
Hi David, I have one moringa tree that was grown from seed I believe. Right now, it has two trunks that runs parallel to each other. The bigger looking trunk is about pinky size and the whole plant is about 3 feet tall and it is planted on a barrel planter. Is it safe for me to trim/cut, stuff with leaves and cover with tarp this winter? Or is it too young to do that process? Also, do I water it in winter? Hoping for your guidance. Thanks in advance!
What others will this overwintering technique work for? Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants?
Probably not – it would be too long without light.
Hi! I live in Houston….. I bought Moringa tree 6 feet in height in a grow bag. Should I plant it in fall in ground? Or wait until spring and transfer it in pot till then? Please advise.
If it freezes in your area, I would leave it in a pot until spring so you can keep it protected.
Also, I want to know that it is a single stem. Shall I prune it now or later in spring?
If you can keep it warm, you can prune now.
I have a moringa tree which is 4-5yrs old. So far, I was able to grow it successfully in Northeast US(Virginia) weather through winters. I get a good yield every summer of more than 50pods. But it’s definitely not easy to move the tree back and forth every year. Do you think it’s a good idea to follow your idea during winters for our kind of weather where the winters are harsh?
If not, do you recommend any plant lights to keep them growing inside?
I would plant another couple of trees and give it a try.
I live in south jersey. I have 3 moringa trees. I left one on the ground, the other two I move to pots. I am trying to save the two on the pots. but I want to save the one on the ground, it is about 6 feet tall. Do you think your method will work here in NJ where winter sometime can be brutal? I will appreciate any feedback. Thanks
Live in Florida tree got frostbite, what do i do? Cut it to 4′ someone said..? It’s gona be in the 70s and 80s now here?
I would wait until you are sure it won’t frost again, then cut it.
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