Urgent task gardeners need to do this month to protect their plants from being killed

Horticultural fleece and laying mulch around your plants will protect them sub-zero frosts which are slowly creeping in as winter arrives.

It's getting colder and the first frosts are beckoning so gardeners need to protect their plants now, an expert has warned.

There are several methods of doing this to stop the chill creeping in and some plant experts even suggest using bubble wrap. This could save you spending money on horticultural fleece and helps insulate your plants against dropping temperatures. Air pockets in the bubbles slow down heat transfer between plants and the cold winter air.

Josh Novell a gardening expert at Polhill Garden Centre said: "Bubble wrap works well as a cost effective solution, as well as being a great way to make use of any early online Christmas shopping. It works well because the air pockets in bubble wrap create a layer of insulation that protects your delicate outdoor plants from cold temperatures."

Monty Don, the well-known gardening expert says wrapping terracotta pots in hessian or bubble wrap is effective in his gardening blog. The material works well for potted plants especially to protecting their the roots. But it should not be used to wrap the plant itself as this can prevent the "circulation of air, trap moisture and even kill the plant."

Bubble wrap, however, should be a temporary solution and plants should be covered overnight and uncovered in daytime to bring air and water to the plant. Josh added: "Ensure you use twine, tape or string to secure it in place. It should be secure enough not to blow away but ideally removable for the occasional warm day to allow the plant to get some fresh air and winter sunlight."

Horticultural fleece provides the best protection according to gardening experts and a "frost blanket" should be considered as an option to keep the cold temperatures away from your plants. Frost blankets are made will be made from specifically designed materials aimed at protecting plants from the cold temperatures and gardening experts say they are more effective than bubble wrap.

The Mirror previously reported the best way to do this for the hardy species is to use a mulch which will allow them peace over the winter months while keeping the plant warm. Gardener's World says the plants can cope with British winters which can get pretty cold for most. But, they but should be grown in a sheltered location.

Flowers such as agapanthus also need a layer of protection as temperatures drop. An expert added: "Protect plants that are borderline hardy, such as agapanthus, with a thick mulch of straw or garden compost". The plant is more commonly known as African lily and is native to South Africa, but also makes it a good flower for cutting.

Before the first frosts the agapanthus plant should be "covered with straw, to protect it over winter". And leaving its foliage without cutting gives it additional winter protection. Not all types of the plant are the same and some evergreen agapanthus can survive winter. However, gardeners are advised move them indoors in case of severe winter weather.